DOCSLIB.ORG

Download Vol. 22, No. 2

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Download Vol. 22, No. 2 - BULLETIN of the FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM Biological Sciences Volume 22 1977 Number 2 GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE SONG OF BELDING'S SAVANNAH SPARROW (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS BELDING.4 RICHARD ALAN BRADLEY e -. , rI. - . .* r S ., 4* f S 2 / a . 1. 1 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE Numbers of the BULLETIN OF THE FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, are published at irregular intervals. Volumes contain about 300 pages and are not necessarily completed in any one calendar year. OLIVER L. AUSTIN, JR., Editor RHODA J. RYBAK, Managing Editor Consultants for this issue: Luis F. BAPTISTA JOHN WILLIAM HARDY j Communications concerning purchase or exchange of the publications and all manuscripts should be addressed to: Managing Editor, Bulletin; Florida State Museum; University of Flor- ida; Gainesville, Florida 32611. This public document was promulgated at an annual cost of $1,667.26 or $1.667 per copy. It makes available to libraries, scholars, and all interested persons the results of researches in the natural sciences, emphasizing the circum-Caribbean region. Publication date: June 17, 1977 Price: $1.70 GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE SONG OF BELDING'S SAVANNAH SPARROW (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS BELDINGI) RICHARD ALAN BRADLEY' SYNopsis: The song of Belding's Savannah Sparrow, resident from Santa Barbara, California, south to El Rosario, Baja California del Norte, was studied during the spring of 1973. Songs were recorded from individuals at 14 of the 15 remaining breeding localities of this subspecies and analyzed with an audiospectrograph. Recordings of color-banded birds indicated that each male sang a single highly stereotyped song pattern. Detailed analysis of intrapopulational and inter- populational variation was made. The study of interpopulational variati6n yielded a mosaic pattern of song "dialects." The occurrence of such song dialects has been substantiated else- where for a variety of species. The present study involves very small adjacent, but isolated pop- ulations. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . 58 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 59 METHODS 59 59 Recordings 61 Analysis..... Terminology . 61 REsuLTs ... 61 Call Repertoire ....._ 61 @~SERR~ Features of Song Delivery The Structure of the Primary Song.. Ontogeny of the Song . Individual Variation Intrapopulational Variation Interpopulational Variation Summary of Interpopulational Variation by Location . & DISCUSSION. 65 LITERATURE CITED.. The author is an Associate in Natural Sciences at the Florida State Museum, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611. This paper was submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Arts at California State University, Long Beach 90804 Manuscript accepted 18 December 1975. BRADLEY, RtcHARD ALAN. 1977. Geographic variation in the song of Belding's Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi). Bull. Florida State Mus., Biol. Sci. 22(2):57-100. 58 BULLETIN FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM Vol. 22, No. 2 INTRODUCTION Geographic variation in bird song has been the subject of recent studies and has taken several forms. The early emphasis was on documentation of variation within species having wide distributions. More recently compre- hensive studies have been conducted using recordings from many localities or analyzing variation between local contiguous or isolated populations. Per- haps the best summary of the work on geographic variation in bird song is by Thieleke (1969). Early work on the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) and other species revealed a distinctive mosaic pattern of variation (Thieleke 1969). Song patterns used by most of the birds in one place are similar to their neighbors' songs, while individuals from other populations have different themes. Often an entire system of such variants is found when several different populations are studied. The term "song dialect" refers to this type of variation. Many authors discussed the evolutionary significance of song dialects. Mayr (1963) stated that geographic variation of song is a widespread isolating mechanism in birds. Other workers expressed similar ideas about song as an isolating mech- anism (Thorpe 1961, Marler and Tamura 1964, Lanyon 1969, Nottebohm 1969, Thieleke 1969, Armstrong 1973). Nottebohm (1972) summarized the proposed mechanisms of such isola- tion: "It is necessary to assume that female birds develop a pref- erence for the song dialect of the area where they are born, and that this preference is revealed in their choice of partner. Males in turn must learn to sing the dialect of their birth area. If birds of both sexes migrate or wander between fledgling age and their first breeding season, they must return to breed in the same gen- eral area where they were raised. In this fashion an assortative mating system based on song preferences reinforces a more or less loose philopatry." The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is one of the most widely distributed of North American sparrows. The species breeds from 71°N (Barrow, Alaska) south to 16°N (Hacienda Chancol, Guatemala) and is divided into 18 subspecies that vary considerably in size, proportions, and coloration (American Ornithologists' Union Check-list 1957, supplement 1973). Of the 18 subspecies 8 are restricted to the coastal marshes of California and northwestern Mexico. Van Rossem (1947) presented an excellent review of the seven races that breed in western Mexico. The Savannah Sparrow form that breeds along the coast from Santa Bar- bara south to El Rosario was originally named as a full species, Passerculus beldingi, by Ridgway (1885). This race, now known as Passerculus sand- 1977 BRADLEY: BELDING'S SAVANNAH SPARROW 59 wichensis beldingi (American Ornithologists' Union Check-list 1957) is re- ferred to here as Belding's Sparrow. The name Savannah Sparrow is used when referring to the species in general. Belding's Sparrow is restricted to the tidal salt marshes of southern Cali- fornia and northwestern Baja California. In a preliminary census conducted in conjunction with this study, I estimated a population of fewer than 3,000 singing males (Bradley 1973). The restriction of this subspecies to local patches of salt marsh has produced small isolated populations ideal for the study of geographic variation. The pattern of song variation within the spe- cies, as outlined by Borror (196la) is well suited to the development of song dialects: (1) each bird sings only one song pattern, (2) variation occurs between different individuals, and (3) song patterns used in any particular location show considerable overlap. Because of restrictions of distance and time, recordings could be made of only a limited number of populations. As a result, a somewhat arbitrary de- cision was made to restrict the study to the coastal populations now assigned to P. s. beldingi. Recordings from another coastal subspecies (P. s. alaudinus) in central and northern California indicate a continuum of similar patterns of variation in that subspecies, and perhaps throughout the species. This study was conducted primarily in the spring of 1973, although some additional ob- servations and recordings were made later in 1973 and early in 1974. Tape recordings were made of 280 different individuals at 14 of the 15 known re- maining breeding sites of Belding's Sparrow. No recordings were made at Ensenada Bay, Baja California del Norte, because of time limitations and the small, widely-scattered nature of that population. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank David R. Bontrager, Marjorie J. Bradley, John William Hardy, and Graeyer Mans- field-Jones for reading all or parts of the manuscript and making many helpful suggestions. I give special thanks to Charles T. Collins and Stuart L. Warter for guiding my research as well as suggesting corrections and improvements of this paper. In addition to the above named per- sons, many others helped me in the field, or obtained permission for my studies in restricted areas. For such help I express my appreciation to Commander Robert Baker, Frank DeVore, L. E. Fellows, Barbara Massey, Larry Pomeroy, Jene St. Germain, Deane Swickard, Margaret Tay- lor, and Bruce Wales. I also thank David Bradley for preparation of Figure 16, assistance in the field, and innumerable hours spent conducting computer analysis of the data. METHODS RECORD]NGS Most of the recordings in this study were made with a Uher 4000 Report S tape recorder and a Uher M 512 microphone mounted on either a 61 cm or a 76 cm fiberglass parabolic reflector. Some additional recordings were made with a Sony TC 800 recorder and a Sony ECM 19 B mi- crophone mounted on the 61 cm reflector. All recordings were made at a tape speed of 19 cm/s. Recordings were made in the field with a hand-held reflector during the peak period of song activity in the morning. Copies of the recordings are on file in the Bioacoustic Archive of the Florida State Museum, Gainesville. 60 BULLETIN FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM Vol. 22, No. 2 Belding's Sparrow is a bird of the coastal salt marshes of southern California and is largely , restricted to Salicorniq-covered tidal flats..Each singing individual, presumed to be a male, de- fends an exclusive territory -in this habitat and regularly sings from one or more exposed perches within his territory. When I surveyed a particular location, I made recordings beginning with an individual at one edge of the marsh and continued in a regular pattern from territory to territory until the entire nesting area had been traversed. Usually I recorded 5 t6 10 songs from each individual. As males of this subspecies defend very small territories (Bradley 1973),each singing bird could be iden- tified by its song perch location. Great care was taken to record songs from distinct individuals. In those cases where a large number of birds were singing from a relatively small area, only a few indivjduals were recorded if any probability of confusion existed. With this method only small samples could be obtained from some sites, but these samples are free from duplication. At some locations the samples were recorded on two or more dates. In each case additional recordings for the sample were made in parts of the marsh where birds had not been previously recofded.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SAVANNAH SPARROW Passerculus Sandwichensis Non-Breeding Visitor, Vagrant P.S
    SAVANNAH SPARROW Passerculus sandwichensis non-breeding visitor, vagrant P.s. sandwichensis Group Savannah Sparrows breed throughout N America and winter S to the Caribbean and n. C America. Vagrants have reached Europe, ne. Asia, and Japan (Cramp and Perrins 1994b, AOU 1998). One was observed on Kure, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, 29 Nov-6 Dec 1977 (Rauzon 1978) and another was observed for two hours and photographed on Tern I, French Frigate 3 Oct 1980 (HRBP 1099). An "unidentified American sparrow" reported from Midway 20 Sep 1995 may also have been a Savannah Sparrow. Up to 22 subspecies of Savannah Sparrow have been named (Pyle 1997b, Clement et al. 2016), The individuals on Kure and French Frigate cannot be placed to subspecies, although the description and photograph indicate the widespread and expected P.s. sandwichensis group that breeds throughout most of N America and is the most migratory (AOU 1998). Within this group, the nominate subspecies (sandwichensis) and anthinus, each breeding in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands and migrating to California and w. Mexico, would be the most likely to occur in the Hawaiian Islands; the description and photograph can be considered consistent with these two subspecies but do not eliminate other subspecies within the group. Dole (1869, 1879) and Sclater (1871) listed Savannah Sparrow ("Emberiza sandwicensis") and Golden-crowned Sparrow for Hawaii but this was in error, apparently based on Dole's confusing the Sandwich Islands and Latham's "Sandwich Sound" (Prince William Sound) in Alaska (Rothschild 1900, Medway 1981). Acronyms and Abbreviations Literature cited Citation: Pyle, R.L., and P.
    [Show full text]
  • L O U I S I a N A
    L O U I S I A N A SPARROWS L O U I S I A N A SPARROWS Written by Bill Fontenot and Richard DeMay Photography by Greg Lavaty and Richard DeMay Designed and Illustrated by Diane K. Baker What is a Sparrow? Generally, sparrows are characterized as New World sparrows belong to the bird small, gray or brown-streaked, conical-billed family Emberizidae. Here in North America, birds that live on or near the ground. The sparrows are divided into 13 genera, which also cryptic blend of gray, white, black, and brown includes the towhees (genus Pipilo), longspurs hues which comprise a typical sparrow’s color (genus Calcarius), juncos (genus Junco), and pattern is the result of tens of thousands of Lark Bunting (genus Calamospiza) – all of sparrow generations living in grassland and which are technically sparrows. Emberizidae is brushland habitats. The triangular or cone- a large family, containing well over 300 species shaped bills inherent to most all sparrow species are perfectly adapted for a life of granivory – of crushing and husking seeds. “Of Louisiana’s 33 recorded sparrows, Sparrows possess well-developed claws on their toes, the evolutionary result of so much time spent on the ground, scratching for seeds only seven species breed here...” through leaf litter and other duff. Additionally, worldwide, 50 of which occur in the United most species incorporate a substantial amount States on a regular basis, and 33 of which have of insect, spider, snail, and other invertebrate been recorded for Louisiana. food items into their diets, especially during Of Louisiana’s 33 recorded sparrows, Opposite page: Bachman Sparrow the spring and summer months.
    [Show full text]
  • State of California the Resources Agency Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Management Division a SURVEY of the BELDING's SAVA
    State of California The Resources Agency Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Management Division A SURVEY OF THE BELDING'S SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) IN CALIFORNIA, 1991 Robert James and Doreen Stadtlander U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southern California Field Station Carlsbad Office November 1991 NONGAME BIRD AND MAMMAL SECTION REPORT, 91-05 FINAL REPORT TO Department of Fish and Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814 CONTRACT FG0429 (FY90/91) A SURVEY OF THE BELDING'S SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) IN CALIFORNIA, 1991 Survey partially supported by California Endangered Species Tax Check-off Account, FY 1990-91 November 1991 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southern California Field Station Carlsbad office Brooks Harper, Office Supervisor Robert James and Doreen Stadtlander, Authors Richard Zembal, Federal Projects Coordinator State of California The Resources Agency Department of Fish and Game A SURVEY OF THE BELDING'S SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) IN CALIFORNIA, 1991 by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southern California Field Station Carlsbad Office Brooks Harper, Office Supervisor Robert James and Doreen Stadtlander, Authors Richard Zembal, Federal Projects Coordinator November 1991 ABSTRACT Thirty-four marshes were surveyed during the period of 5 March-28 June 1991 for the territorial Belding's Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), which is currently a state-endangered and federal category two candidate subspecies. ("Category two" species lack sufficient information to support a federal listing proposal as endangered or threatened). Populations were found in 27 of those marshes from Goleta Slough south to Tijuana Marsh on the Mexican border of southern California.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Assessment for Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus Bairdii) in Wyoming
    SPECIES ASSESSMENT FOR BAIRD ’S SPARROW (AMMODRAMUS BAIRDII ) IN WYOMING prepared by 1 2 ROBERT LUCE AND DOUG KEINATH 1 P.O. Box 2095, Sierra Vista, Arizona 85636, [email protected] 2 Zoology Program Manager, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3013; [email protected] prepared for United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office Cheyenne, Wyoming December 2003 Luce and Keinath – Ammodramus bairdii December 2003 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 5 NATURAL HISTORY ........................................................................................................................... 6 Morphological Description..................................................................................................... 6 Identification ...................................................................................................................................6 Vocalization ....................................................................................................................................7 Taxonomy and Distribution ................................................................................................... 7 Taxonomy .......................................................................................................................................7 Distribution
    [Show full text]
  • Illinois Birds: Volume 4 – Sparrows, Weaver Finches and Longspurs © 2013, Edges, Fence Rows, Thickets and Grain Fields
    ILLINOIS BIRDS : Volume 4 SPARROWS, WEAVER FINCHES and LONGSPURS male Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder female Photo © John Cassady Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Mary Kay Rubey Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder American tree sparrow chipping sparrow field sparrow vesper sparrow eastern towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus Spizella arborea Spizella passerina Spizella pusilla Pooecetes gramineus Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder lark sparrow savannah sparrow grasshopper sparrow Henslow’s sparrow fox sparrow song sparrow Chondestes grammacus Passerculus sandwichensis Ammodramus savannarum Ammodramus henslowii Passerella iliaca Melospiza melodia Photo © Brian Tang Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Lincoln’s sparrow swamp sparrow white-throated sparrow white-crowned sparrow dark-eyed junco Le Conte’s sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Melospiza georgiana Zonotrichia albicollis Zonotrichia leucophrys Junco hyemalis Ammodramus leconteii Photo © Brian Tang winter Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder summer Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Photo © Mark Bowman winter Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder summer Photo © Rob Curtis, The Early Birder Nelson’s sparrow
    [Show full text]
  • Baird's Sparrow Is Listed As Threatened in the State of New Mexico
    Baird’s Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) Winter Only NMPIF level: Biodiversity Conservation Concern, Level 1 (BC1) NMPIF assessment score: 18 NM stewardship responsibility: Low National PIF status: Watch List New Mexico BCRs: 34, 35 (both in winter only) Primary wintering habitat(s): Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands Summary of Concern Baird’s Sparrow is a grassland specialist of the northern Great Plains, wintering in northern Mexico and small portions of the southwest U.S. Populations have been declining due to loss or alteration of native grassland habitat in breeding and wintering areas. Associated Wintering Species Aplomado Falcon (BC1), Sprague’s Pipit (BC1), Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow (BC2), Chestnut-collared Longspur, Eastern Meadowlark Distribution Baird’s Sparrow breeds in a fairly small geographic area of south-central Canada, Montana, and North and South Dakota. It winters on grasslands of the northern Mexican plateau, primarily in Chihuahua and Durango but including portions of bordering states. The winter range extends into small portions of southeast Arizona, southern New Mexico, and southwest Texas. In New Mexico, Baird’s Sparrow has been found on Otero Mesa and in the Animas Valley, and may occur in other areas of suitable winter habitat, particularly in the southeast portion of state (Howell and Webb 1995, Green et al. 2002). Ecology and Habitat Requirements Details of winter habitat requirements of Baird’s Sparrow are not well understood. Generally, the species winters in areas of dense and expansive grasslands, with only a minor shrub component. In Arizona, Baird’s Sparrows winter in diverse desert grasslands dominated by perennial bunchgrasses, including many species of grama (Bouteloua), Three-awn (Aristida) and lovegrass (Eragrostris), both native and exotic.
    [Show full text]
  • The Flexible Migratory Orientation System of the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus Sandwichensis)
    The Journal of Experimental Biology 199, 3–8 (1996) 3 Printed in Great Britain © The Company of Biologists Limited 1996 JEB0120 THE FLEXIBLE MIGRATORY ORIENTATION SYSTEM OF THE SAVANNAH SPARROW (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS) KENNETH P. ABLE AND MARY A. ABLE Department of Biology, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA Summary The orientation system of the Savannah sparrow There is some evidence that the magnetic field may be (Passerculus sandwichensis) is typical of nocturnal migrant involved in calibration of the polarized light compass. In passerine birds. It is based on a system of interacting short-term orientation decision-making during migration, compass senses: magnetic, star, polarized light and, visual information at sunset overrides both stars and perhaps, sun compasses. The magnetic compass capability magnetic cues, and polarized skylight is the relevant develops in birds that have never seen the sky, but the stimulus in dusk orientation. The star pattern compass preferred direction of magnetic orientation may be seems to be of little importance. This extremely flexible calibrated by celestial rotation (stars at night and polarized orientation system enables the birds to respond to spatial skylight patterns during the day). This ability to recalibrate and temporal variability in the quality and availability of magnetic orientation persists throughout life and enables orientation information. the bird to compensate for variability in magnetic declination that may be encountered as it migrates. The polarized light compass
    [Show full text]
  • Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus Sandwichensis a Winter Visitor, The
    Volume 16, Issue 4 Page 6 From Joanne Fellows Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis Savannah Sparrow is one of the most numer- ous songbirds of North America. A winter visitor, the Savannah Sparrow is one of the most numerous songbirds of North America. It has some unique markers that identify this streaky brown bird. Look for a short tail, small head and a yellow spot be- fore the eye. It is named for Savannah, Georgia where the first specimen was collected by the nineteenth century ornithologist Alexander Wilson. This sparrow has a tendency to return each year to the area where it hatched. This is called natal philopatry and is used to identify the many subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow. NATURALIS Page 7 A squirrel is a squirrel is a squirrel? w. odum (Hmm . well, maybe) Eastern gray squirrel—enature.com Several species of squirrels make their home in Texas, such as the Eastern gray, flying, and rock, but the one with the widest distribution is the Fox squirrel. It prefers an open, park-like woods where large mature trees shade the forest floor and prevent the under-brush from flourishing, but it can adapt to a variety of forest habitats. It is most abundant in the eastern third of the state, and distribution in the wild is about one squirrel for every two or three acres. Since a fox squirrel rang- es over an area of at least ten acres during any one season and may cover forty acres during a year's time, the territories of several often overlap.
    [Show full text]
  • Learn About Texas Birds Activity Book
    Learn about . A Learning and Activity Book Color your own guide to the birds that wing their way across the plains, hills, forests, deserts and mountains of Texas. Text Mark W. Lockwood Conservation Biologist, Natural Resource Program Editorial Direction Georg Zappler Art Director Elena T. Ivy Educational Consultants Juliann Pool Beverly Morrell © 1997 Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 PWD BK P4000-038 10/97 All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the publisher. Another "Learn about Texas" publication from TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESS ISBN- 1-885696-17-5 Key to the Cover 4 8 1 2 5 9 3 6 7 14 16 10 13 20 19 15 11 12 17 18 19 21 24 23 20 22 26 28 31 25 29 27 30 ©TPWPress 1997 1 Great Kiskadee 16 Blue Jay 2 Carolina Wren 17 Pyrrhuloxia 3 Carolina Chickadee 18 Pyrrhuloxia 4 Altamira Oriole 19 Northern Cardinal 5 Black-capped Vireo 20 Ovenbird 6 Black-capped Vireo 21 Brown Thrasher 7Tufted Titmouse 22 Belted Kingfisher 8 Painted Bunting 23 Belted Kingfisher 9 Indigo Bunting 24 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 10 Green Jay 25 Wood Thrush 11 Green Kingfisher 26 Ruddy Turnstone 12 Green Kingfisher 27 Long-billed Thrasher 13 Vermillion Flycatcher 28 Killdeer 14 Vermillion Flycatcher 29 Olive Sparrow 15 Blue Jay 30 Olive Sparrow 31 Great Horned Owl =female =male Texas Birds More kinds of birds have been found in Texas than any other state in the United States: just over 600 species.
    [Show full text]
  • Black-Throated Sparrow Vagrants in the Pacific Northwest
    NOTES BLACK-THROATED SPARROW VAGRANTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST EUGENE S. HUNN, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington98195 Nancy Hunn and I observeda singleadult Black-throatedSparrow (Ampbispiza bilineata) 16 May 1976 at the Pt. Grenville Coast Guard Station, Grays Harbor Co., Washington.The bird was feedingactively on the lawn of the CoastGuard facility with a flock of about five SavannahSparrows (Passerculus sandzvicbensis), three American Goldfinches (Carduelistristis) and one White-crownedSparrow (Zonotricbia leucopbrys). The Coast Guard Station percheson a high promontory facing the Pacific Ocean and surroundedby secondgrowth coniferousforest typi- cal of the coastalSitka Spruce (Piceasitcbensis) zone (Franklin and Dyrness 1973: 58-63). Color photographsobtained with the aid of K. C. Johnstoneof the U.S. Coast Guard are not of publishablequality but do allow the bird to be identified. Copiesof thesecolor slideshave been deposited with the WashingtonBird Record File at the University of WashingtonMuseum. A sketch drawn while the bird was under observationis also in that file. The following details were recorded at the time of the observation: The bird was plump, sparrow-shapedwith a dark grey conicalbill. Its body was scarcelyif at all largerthan the Am. Goldfinch and noticeablysmaller than the Savannahand •Vhite-crowned sparrows. Howe•/er its tail was considerably longer than that of either goldfinchor SavannahSparrow, being nearly as long as its body. The bird looked more or less like a crossbetween a junco and a chickadee. The crown was medium grey edgedwith slate back as far as the eye. There was a broad white superciliary.The loreswere black merginginto a dark grey face patch broken only by the white lower eyelid.
    [Show full text]
  • Territorial Behavior in Savannah Sparrows in Southeastern Michigan
    TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR IN SAVANNAH SPARROWS IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN PETER E. POTTER HE Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a bird of open T grasslands, bogs, coastal marshes, and tundra. In southeastern Michigan its thin insect-like song is heard wherever farming has produced pastures and fallow fields. It migrates south in late summer and fall and returns in April and early May. For three successive breeding seasons (1965-67) I observed the territorial behavior in Savannah Sparrows in a field five miles west of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan. The population ranged from about 18 pairs in 1965 to 12 pairs in 1967. METHODS The study area was measured off in a grid, with tape markers placed along border fences and metal ground markers at the grid intersections in the field. Song perches were marked with colored pipe cleaners, some with colored foam plastic balls attached. Adult birds were netted and marked with aluminum and color-coded plastic bands. Sex was determined by behavior since there is no discernible difference in appearance. Nestlings were marked only with aluminum bands. (Only one bird banded as a nestling later returned to the study field to breed.) Fifty-two adults were banded in 1965, 12 in 1966, and 6 in 1967, a total of 70. Seventy-five young were banded in 1965, 29 in 1966, and 26 in 1967, a total of 130. (Banding in 1966 and 1967 was more selective, aimed at birds evidently linked to a territory. In several instances, females on their nests were flushed into nets posted near them. Only one non-resident Savannah Sparrow was caught in each of those years, contrasted to 19 in 1965.) I observed the birds mostly on Fridays and Sundays from 06:OO to 12:O0.
    [Show full text]
  • Bryant's Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus Sandwichensis
    II SPECIES ACCOUNTS Andy Birch PDF of Bryant’s Savannah Sparrow account from: Shuford, W. D., and Gardali, T., editors. 2008. California Bird Species of Special Concern: A ranked assessment of species, subspecies, and distinct populations of birds of immediate conservation concern in California. Studies of Western Birds 1. Western Field Ornithologists, Camarillo, California, and California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento. Studies of Western Birds No. 1 BRYANT’S SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus) Sam D. Fitton Criteria Scores Population Trend 10 Range Trend 0 Population Size 5 Range Size 10 Endemism 10 Population Concentration 0 Threats 10 Year-round Range County Boundaries Water Bodies Kilometers 100 50 0 100 Year-round range of the Bryant’s Savannah Sparrow, a California endemic. Authorities differ on whether the subspe- cies’ range extends north of Humboldt Bay, Humboldt County, and south of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County; the range mapped here includes all areas considered by some to pertain to P. s. alaudinus. Regardless, the overall outline of the range is stable, but numbers of this sparrow have declined at least moderately; formerly bred in the Point Lobos area, Monterey County (not mapped). 382 Studies of Western Birds 1:382–387, 2008 Species Accounts California Bird Species of Special Concern SPECIAL CONCERN PRIORITY SEASONAL STATUS IN CALIFORNIA Currently considered a Bird Species of Special Year-round resident; breeds mainly from early Concern (year round), priority 3. Not included on April to early July (Gill 1977), very rarely to previous lists (Remsen 1978, CDFG 1992). mid-August (Hunter et al. 2005).
    [Show full text]