Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

      Small Grains/Forage Crops
      or Fields/Pastures
      or Sedge Meadow

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: There is more to this sparrow's habitat distribution than meets the eye, for it is not uncommon to find birds in one field but absent from a nearby, similar-looking field. The Henslow's Sparrow occupies weedy or grassy fields and meadows often in low-lying, damp situations dotted with shrubs. More specifically, studies have shown a decided preference for tall and dense grass cover and a high density of standing dead vegetation. In the Atlas Habitat Survey, 14 observations came from old fields, with 85% of these categorized as having dense grass and herb cover and few scattered shrubs. Other records were in hayfields and pasture. Nests are well-hidden, constructed of dead vegetation, and placed at the center of grass clumps.

Habitat: Breeding: Neglected weedy fields-commonly of broomsedge-wet meadows, saltmarsh edges. Occasionally in dry and cultivated uplands. Wiens observed birds in areas with dense ground vegetation. May favor moist lowland habitat and may use areas with widely scattered shrubs.

Special Habitat Requirements: Dense herbaceous vegetation, moderate amounts of moisture, ground litter, singing perches.

Habitat: Weedy fields. Requirements not well understood; often absent from seemingly suitable habitat. Breeds in fields and meadows, often in low-lying or damp areas, with tall grass, standing dead weeds, and scattered shrubs. Sometimes in old pastures, occasionally in hayfields. Winters in various kinds of rank weedy fields.

Diet: Mostly insects and seeds. Summer diet is mainly insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, stink bugs, caterpillars, small wasps, and many others, also some spiders and snails. Many seeds are also eaten, probably making up the majority of the winter diet; included are seeds of weeds, grasses, and sedges.

Nest: Site is on or near the ground, very well hidden. Usually placed in the base of a clump of grass, sometimes in a slight depression in the ground, occasionally more than a foot up among vertical stems. Ground nests often have grass partly arched over them, adding to concealment. Nest is an open cup of grass and weeds, lined with finer grass and sometimes with animal hair.

Conservation Status: Has declined seriously in much of its former range, should be considered threatened. Loss of proper habitat is likely cause; habitat requirements are still not thoroughly understood.