Ammodramus savannarum
(Grasshopper Sparrow)

Physical Description:
4 1/2-5" (11-13 cm). Dark head with buff central stripe and yellow eyebrows; yellow breast fades to white belly; dark brown above with white edgings and stripes.

Similar Species- Baird's Sparrow

Song:
Very faint buzz introduced by two soft notes.

Distribution:
Breeds from eastern Washington and southern British Columbia, east across portions of Canada and U.S. to Maine, and south to southern California, New Mexico, southern Texas, southeastern Arizona, and portions of northern Mexico and southeastern United States. Winters from southern U.S. to Costa Rica.

Habitat:
Found in prairies, old fields, open grasslands, cultivated fields, and savannas.

Diet:
Eats insects, other small invertebrates, grain, and seeds.

Ecology:
Builds nest on ground. Female may perform distraction displays. Forms small colonies when breeding. In one study, breeding territory was found to be about 0.4-1.3 ha. Forages on ground.

Female incubates 3-6 eggs (commonly 4-5), for 11-13 days. Young are tended by female, and leave nest at 6-9 days while still unable to fly. Female commonly produces 2 broods/yr.

Conservation:

Element Code:	ABPBXA0020
Status:	Protected nongame species
Global Rank:	G4
State Rank:	S3,NTMB
National Rank:	N5B,N5N

Important State References:
No references are available at this time.