A bird of open habitats, it breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, and winters in the southern United States.

These birds have short cone-shaped bills, streaked backs, and dark tails with white outer rectrices.

Females and immatures have lightly streaked buffy underparts, dark crowns, brown wings with less obvious white lesser coverts, and a light-colored face.

[2] Measurements: This bird breeds in open grassy areas near the tree line in northern Canada and Alaska.

In winter, they congregate in open fields, including airports, in the south-central United States.