Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus Sandwichensis) Julie Gibson

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) Julie Gibson

Wayne Co., MI 6/13/2009 © Darlene Friedman This species sponsored by Don LeDuc. (Click to view a comparison of Atlas I to II)

This inconspicuous sparrow sings atop a blade southern counties, with populations increasing over time (Wood 1951) and peaking in the of grass or a small shrub and has a short, 1970s (R. Adams Jr., pers. comm.). At present notched tail. During the breeding season its it is found within all favorable habitats in the yellow lores are often distinctive, but its habit of state. Distribution appears fairly similar across dropping down and running through the dense both Atlas periods, while overall abundance has grass makes detection of birds difficult. Many declined by less than 2%. Declines in observers are familiar with this species due to its abundance were highest in the northern LP, ubiquitous presence in various open lands over followed by the southern LP. In contrast, most of North America. It breeds from Alaska detections increased by at least 5% in the UP and Canada, throughout the United States and and the number of confirmed breeding records Mexico, south to Honduras. Resident within UP townships nearly doubled, compared populations are found along the California Coast to MBBA I. However, survey effort in the UP and in central Mexico. Most populations are increased by more than 5% during MBBA II, long-distance migrants, wintering across the and was down by more than 10% in the NLP, southern United States, and south throughout which could explain some of these differences. Mexico to the Caribbean. There are seven

Christmas Bird Count records for Michigan The Savannah Sparrow occupies a variety of during the period 1989-2008 (National Audubon grass-dominated habitats such as alfalfa fields, Society 2002). It is common as a breeder airports, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) throughout most of the LP of Michigan and in fields, hayfields, old fields, pastures, prairie, scattered locations in the UP where acceptable savannah, shoreland, and is present at low habitat is present. densities in no-till croplands. Although this

species can be found in small, isolated Distribution grasslands, it is often more abundant in large Wheelwright and Rising (2008), show the North contiguous habitats with few shrubs and small American breeding range of the Savannah trees. Sparrow as including the entire state of

Michigan. Historic accounts note this species as uncommon and local in its distribution in the

Savannah Sparrows are documented in all the with migration peaking 26 September (R. surrounding states and Canada. In Ontario, the Adams, pers. comm.). They are seen as late as 5 species is common across the province, and November in Dearborn (Rouge River Bird although it has seen slight fluctuations in Observatory 1999). abundance, distribution is similar over both Atlas periods (Cadman et al. 2007). Widely Abundance and Population Trends distributed in Wisconsin, the highest densities of (Click to view trends from the BBS) this sparrow are found in open upland Based on 1990s BBS data, the global population agricultural lands (Cutright et al. 2006). Indiana is estimated at 80 million birds, with Michigan birds are primarily found in the northern two supporting about 1.1% or 900,000 individuals thirds of the state, concentrated centrally and to (PIF Landbird Population Estimates Database the northeast (Castrale et al. 1998). Savannah 2008). Breeding Bird Survey records since Sparrows are fairly common summer residents 1966 show Savannah Sparrow populations have throughout the northern half of Illinois, with few persisted better than most grassland bird records scattered across southern counties species. While other sparrows suffered (Kleen et al. 2004). Distribution is wide staggering declines, this grassland generalist throughout northern and central Ohio, with sustained small, albeit significant, annual breeding populations expanding southward declines of about 1% throughout its range. (Peterjohn and Rice 1991). Except at high Between 1966 and 2007, North American BBS elevations, forested regions and urban areas, this data indicate an average range-wide decline of species is abundant and widespread across New 1% per year, with Michigan showing the same York, maintaining relatively steady numbers decline during this period (Sauer et al. 2008). and distribution over both their Atlas periods Looking at the time period from 1980 to 2007, (McGowan and Corwin 2008). populations underwent significant declines of just over 2% in FWS Region 3, which includes Breeding Biology Michigan and neighboring states (Sauer et al. Migrating Savannah Sparrows arrive as early as 2008). However, Michigan data show a non- 13 March, but the majority reaches Michigan significant decline of just over 1% (Sauer et al. the last week of April (McPeek 1994, Chartier 2008). and Ziarno 2004). They have been observed as early as 7 April in Dearborn (Rouge River Bird The average number of pairs recorded per year Observatory 2010). If one or both birds of a during both Atlas periods demonstrates this pair survive winter, the previous year’s nest site, slight downward trend. During MBBA I, a or vicinity, may be reused. One or two broods minimum of 1,876 pairs was recorded, are typical, with eggs dates from 5 May through compared to 1,728 pairs during MBBA II. July (Kalamazoo Nature Center 2004). Based These small, steady declines warrant caution on MBBA II data collected from seven counties, since it is unclear what is attributable to actual the average egg date is 9 June. In Chippewa population changes and what is due to County egg dates from 11 nests ranged from 17 differences in survey effort. Some counties May to 2 July (B. Johnson, pers. comm.). Atlas appear to have sustained considerable declines; observers from 56 counties observed adults for example the total number of observations in carrying food or feeding young on average 26 Kalamazoo County during MBBA I was 787, June, while data from 24 counties report compared with 304 during MBBA II. The same recently fledged young observed on about 7 situation holds true for Calhoun County (492 in July. Fall banding dates from Kalamazoo MBBA I, 134 in MBBA II). Conversely, County range from 12 August to 29 October, increases were seen in some areas, such as

Oakland County where the total number of birds Wisconsin. Wisconsin Society for detected more than doubled. Ornithology. Waukesha, WI. Dale, B.C., P.A. Martin, and P.S. Taylor. 1997. Conservation Needs Effects of Hay Management on Grassland Savannah Sparrows are commonly associated Songbirds in Saskatchewan. Wildlife Society with alfalfa and hay fields; some of these are Bulletin 25(3):616-626 mowed three times per season, which often Kalamazoo Nature Center. 2004. Michigan destroys the nest and young or eggs. These Breeding Bird Atlas II Handbook. agricultural habitat types are widespread Kleen, V.M., L. Cordle, and R.A. Montomery. throughout the LP and are likely ecological 2004. The Illinois Breeding Bird Atlas. traps where reduced reproductive success may Illinois Natural History Survey, 2004. result in unsustainable populations. Research Special Publication No. 26. 459 pp. focused on ascertaining the viability of McGowan, K.J., and K. Corwin. 2008. The grassland bird populations on intensively Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York managed agricultural lands in Michigan would State. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY. fill information gaps and benefit several species, McPeek, G. 1994. In McPeek, G., and R. J. including the Savannah Sparrow. Additionally, Adams (eds.). 1994. The Birds of Michigan. where possible, delaying mowing of hayfields Indiana University Press. Bloomington, IN. until 15 July (or up to a week earlier based on National Audubon Society. 2002. The average date fledglings were observed) would Christmas Bird Count Historical Results allow many birds to raise at least one brood in [Online]. Available [3/2009] al. 1997). Peterjohn, B.G., and D.L. Rice. 1991. The Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas. Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Columbus, OH. Literature Cited Rouge River Bird Observatory. 2010. Latest Dearborn bird sightings. . Lepage, and A.R. Couturier (eds.). 2007. Accessed 30 April 2010. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, Rouge River Bird Observatory. 1999. Latest 2001-2005. Bird Studies Canada, Dearborn bird sightings. . Ornithologists, Ontario Ministry of Natural Accessed 30 April 2010. Resources, and Ontario Nature. Toronto, Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, and J. Fallon. 2008. Ontario. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Castrale, J.S., E.M. Hopkins, and C.E. Keller. results and analysis 1966-2007. Version 1998. Atlas of Breeding Birds of Indiana. 5.15.2008. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Research Center. Laurel, MD. Division of Fish and Wildlife, Nongame and Wheelwright, N.T., and J.D. Rising. 2008. Endangered Wildlife Program. Indianapolis, Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus IN. sandwichensis) In The Birds of North Chartier, A.T., and J. Ziarno. 2004. A Birder’s America, No. 45 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). Guide to Michigan. American Birding The Birds of North America, Inc., Association. Colorado Springs, CO. Philadelphia, PA. Cutright, N.J., B.R. Harriman, and R.W. Howe. 2006. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of

Wood, N.A. 1951. The Birds of Michigan. MP 75. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Ann Arbor, MI.

Suggested Citation

Gibson, J. 2010. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). In Chartier, A.T., J.J. Baldy, and J.M. Brenneman (eds.). 2010. The Second Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas. Kalamazoo Nature Center. Kalamazoo, MI. Accessed online at: .