A larger and paler race of the Savannah Sparrow. Breeding is restricted almost entirely to "The Graveyard of the Atlantic", Sable Island, Nova Scotia. This island is only about 13.1 square miles and home to 300 feral horses, Gray and Harbor Seals, Arctic Terns and this lovely little sparrow. These sparrows are found almost exclusively in coastal dune areas in winter.

These birds are often as secretive as a mouse, scurrying almost unseen amongst the dune grass, blending in perfectly with the sand and dried grasses.