Grassland Bird Species

Grasshopper Sparrow

Grasshopper sparrows, small inconspicuous birds known for their buzzy, grasshopper-like song, are becoming increasingly rare in the Northeast. Male birds, once common in dry, upland meadows throughout southern New England, could be seen perched on top of small shrubs or wildflower stalks, singing their high-pitched songs. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, grasshopper sparrows now breed at only a few scattered locations in the Northeast, mostly at airports, military bases, large blueberry barrens, and coastal heathlands on islands off Massachusetts.

Life History

Grasshopper sparrows require breeding sites of at least 30 acres and prefer sites greater than 100 acres. These areas are primarily dry upland sites, composed of short native bunch grasses, minimal litter cover, patches of bare ground, scattered forbs, and short shrubs. Fence posts and shrubs are used as song perches. Bare ground is important for allowing adult birds and young to run and escape predators and to search for insects. Grasshopper sparrows favor a variety of management applications, such as burning and grazing, to maintain short, sparse vegetation while still providing some cover for nests and protection. Because grasshopper sparrows can raise two broods each year in the Northeast, their breeding season lasts until early August.

Reason for Decline

• Habitat loss. Development and old field succession have diminished available habitat; many of the remaining grassland patches are too small (less than 30 acres) and do not provide appropriate breeding habitat.
• Changes in agricultural practices. Modern practices include converting native grasslands to fields of fast-growing legumes, using early-summer mowing and intensive grazing, and creating single-crop fields. These practices do not provide suitable breeding habitat for this species.

Map of distribution and abundance

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