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Find a Bird

Saltmarsh Sparrow
Ammodramus caudacutus

The Saltmarsh Sparrow is endemic to Atlantic Coast salt marshes; Massachusetts no doubt supports a major percentage of its global population. Sea-level rise (as a result of climate change) makes this bird's low nests very vulnerable to flooding. As such, stewardship for this inconspicuous coastal sparrow and its unique salt marsh habitat should be a major conservation priority in the future. As things stand now, its breeding range in the state is restricted to suitable areas of salt marsh.
Conservation Status
Continued Action/Monitoring Needed

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Highly Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.13
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.10
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.03
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
n/a
National Audubon Societyb
Climate Endangered
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
48
Atlas II Blocks
77
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
5
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
7
Percent change
139

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
P-value
Number of routes
Recent trend 2000-2010

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1963-1979)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1979-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Saltmarsh

Wintering

Saltmarsh

Climate Suitability Current and 2050