Grassland Bird Species

Savannah Sparrow

This small brown sparrow, heard singing its buzzy insect-like song more than it is seen, has been the subject of a great deal of research in North America. This bird is known to return to its same natal or breeding site each year following migration to wintering grounds in the southern United States, the Caribbean, and Central America. There are 17 different races based on geographic variation and separation.

Life History

A grassland generalist, the savannah sparrow is found in a variety of grassland habitats in the Northeast, ranging from heathland to farmland. This species is associated with hayfields and pastures as well as coastal grasslands and blueberry barrens. Unlike many grassland birds, savannah sparrows use fields of all ages. They tolerate successional growth, breeding in areas with scattered saplings, shrubs, and forbs.

Because savannah sparrows often have two broods per year, mowing before mid-July can harm nesting birds and young. Although each pair has a small territory size of one to two acres, they require relatively large areas of open space, 20 to 40 acres, for breeding habitat.

Reason for Decline

• Urbanization and reversion of farm fields to forest. Many successional fields that are suitable breeding habitat are often the first areas to be developed or to return to forest.
• Early mowing. Mowing before mid-July results in a high percentage of nest failures.

Map of distribution and abundance

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