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Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum

  • Grasshopper Sparrow
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Species of Concern

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S3B

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 2
PIF: 2
 

General Description
A chunky sparrow with a short narrow tail, flat head, buffy breast and sides (adults usually without obvious streaking), dark crown with a pale central stripe, narrow white eye ring, and (in most adults) a yellow-orange spot in front of the eye; juveniles have pale buff breast and sides, streaked with brown; average length 13 cm (NGS 1983).

Diagnostic Characteristics
Grasshopper Sparrows differ from many other sparrows by having both an unstreaked buffy breast (adults) and a short tail. They differ from Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) by lacking a buffy-orange eyebrow and blue-gray ear patch. Adults differ from juvenile Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) by lacking a yellowish-olive central stripe on the crown. Juveniles lack the olive and russet tones of the otherwise similar adult Henslow's Sparrow.

General Distribution
Montana Range



Western Hemisphere Range

 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 2949

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

Breeding
(direct evidence "B")

Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")

No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")

Overwintering
(regular observations "W")

Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")


 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Prefers open prairies with intermittent brush, although not particular to heavy brush cover.

Food Habits
In summer, diet consists of insects and grasshoppers. During winter, diet consists of grasses and seeds.

Reproductive Characteristics
Double brooded species with 4-5 eggs per brood. Incubation period 11-12 days. Young able to fly nine days after hatch.

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Citation for data on this website:
Grasshopper Sparrow — Ammodramus savannarum.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_ABPBXA0020.aspx
 
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