Named after its song which
is very similar to a grasshopper, the Grasshopper Sparrow can sometimes be difficult to
observe. Unless singing during the mating season, they prefer to stay out
of sight near the ground in grassy areas. However, in South Dakota,
they can sometimes be seen along fence lines, perched on barbed wire or singing
from fence posts.
Habitat: Grasslands and prairies,
prefer ably with tall grasses and scattered shrubs. Will also use
hayfields, and occasionally agricultural fields with other crops.
Diet: Primarily feeds on insects and
spiders in the summer, while seeds and waste grain make up most of the diet in
the winter (and a portion of the summer diet). Also will feed on
earthworms and snails.
Behavior: Nearly always forages along the ground.
During the summer breeding season, they sometimes are found in loose
breeding colonies, with individual males defending small patches of turf by
singing from low perches.
Nesting: June and July
Migration: Summers throughout much of the U.S. Winters in the southern U.S. and
points south.
Status: Has shown severe declines locally. The
Florida sub-species is seriously endangered, as are local populations in the
Appalachians. Still common and widespread in many areas, however.
In South Dakota, they often show a strong preference for Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) land. In recent years, many farmers are giving
up their CRP contracts and planting crops on former CRP land, which has the
potential to seriously affect Grasshopper Sparrow populations in many areas.
2)
Cornell University's "All About Birds - Grasshopper Sparrow"
3)
eNature.com:
Grasshopper Sparrow
Photo Information: July 16th, 2004 -- Near Richland
Wildlife Area on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or
text links below for additional, higher-resolution Grasshopper Sparrow photos.
