A small flat-headed buffy sparrow named for its grasshopper-like buzzy song. Among the steepest-declining grassland birds — populations down 75% since 1970.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The grasshopper sparrow is a small New World sparrow. It belongs to the genus Ammodramus, which contains three species that inhabit grasslands and prairies. Grasshopper sparrows are sometimes found in crop fields and they will readily colonize reclaimed grassland. In the core of their range, grasshopper sparrows are dependent upon large areas of grassland where they avoid trees and shrubs. They seek out heterogenous patches of prairie that contain clumps of dead grass or other vegetation where they conceal their nest, and also contain barer ground where they forage for insects, spiders, and seeds. Grasshopper sparrows are unusual among New World sparrows in that they sing two distinct song types, the prevalence of which varies with the nesting cycle. The primary male song, a high trill preceded by a stereotyped series of short chips, is reminiscent of the sounds of grasshoppers and is the origin of this species' name. Like some other birds of the central North American grasslands, this species also moves around a lot, not only via annual migrations, but individuals frequently disperse between breeding attempts or breeding seasons. Grasshopper sparrows are in steep decline across their range, even in the core of the breeding distribution in the tallgrass prairies of the central Great Plains. The Florida grasshopper sparrow is highly endangered.
Source: Wikipedia — Grasshopper sparrow Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small chunky flat-headed sparrow with short tail. Buff and white face, dark crown stripe with central pale stripe, unstreaked breast (juveniles streaked).
Similar species. Le Conte's Sparrow (warmer color, streaked breast). Henslow's Sparrow (similar shape, olive face). Savannah Sparrow (yellow lores, streaked breast).
Voice. High-pitched insect-like buzzy "tik-tik-tzeeeeee" — sounds like a grasshopper.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Grasshoppers and other insects in summer (~60% of diet); seeds in winter.
Behavior. Florida subspecies (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) is critically endangered — fewer than 100 individuals in the wild. Across the broader species range, populations have declined ~65% since 1966. Breeds on native grasslands; cannot tolerate heavy mowing or grazing during nesting season. Insect-like song easily missed even by experienced birders.
§ Range
Across North America in summer; winters southern US
§ Habitat
Native grasslands, prairie remnants, pastures
§ Threats
Conversion of native prairie to row crops and improved pasture, fire suppression.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the grasshopper sparrow is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support prescribed-fire grassland management. Donate to grassland conservation. Delay hay cutting.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Grasshopper sparrow
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Ammodramus savannarum
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22721126
- iNaturalist · taxon 9763
- eBird · graspa
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Ammodramus savannarum
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Recovery
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- American Bird Conservancy
- IUCN Red List 2018
