In the San Francisco Bay, California, several large restoration projects are returning salt ponds to tidal salt marsh. The Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula), a California species of special concern, uses both restored and historic marshes, but their use of restored salt ponds is not well understood. This research assessed Alameda song sparrow abundance and breeding presence with respect to salt pond restoration age and percent cover and height of native and non-native plants. In the marsh ecotone at seven restoration sites, I collected transect count data on Alameda song sparrow abundance and determined the cover and height of plants by species. I mist-netted and banded birds at four of the study sites to detect breeding birds. Results showed that Alameda song sparrows bred at every site sampled and that bird abundance was not affected by the age of the restoration site or the amount of native plant cover. The sparrows were found in a range of native and non-native plants and were most likely to be found in taller rather than shorter vegetation. Managers protecting this subspecies should consider vegetation height in restoration management, passerine food chains, and support further research activities.