STATUS: Common throughout the eastern United States and northern parts of its range. Locally common in the West.
HABITAT: Inhabits moist areas with low irregular plants, or deep grassy and brushy vegetation. Particularly common along waterways, seacoasts with marshes of cattails or bulrushes, and along forest edges adjacent to bogs and openings. Also inhabits fencerows, thickets, hedgerows, and gardens.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Moist areas with brushy vegetation.
NEST: Usually builds nest on the ground, concealed under a tuft of grass or bush, or even a brushpile, but sometimes in shrubs and small trees up to 12 feet above ground, and in tree cavities.
FOOD: Eats a wide variety of both vegetable and animal materials. Gleans insects from the ground, leaves, and branches, mostly during the breeding season.
REFERENCES: Nice 1937,1943, Forbush and May 1955.