- Scientific name: Spizella pusilla
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
Description
Field sparrow
A small songbird of dry shrublands, the field sparrow has an unstreaked rufous cap, streaked brown back, clear light or buffy underparts, and a short tail. The bill and legs are pink. The sexes are alike in appearance. The field sparrow’s typical song is a series of short notes given at a regularly accelerating pace.
Life cycle and behavior
Field sparrows are short distance migrants, occurring primarily in the eastern United States year-round. Small numbers overwinter in Massachusetts, but most arrive to the Massachusetts breeding grounds in mid-April where typically monogamous pairs establish territories and produce 1-2 broods per season. Field sparrows eat primarily seeds and small invertebrates.
Population status
In Massachusetts the field sparrow is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Distribution and abundance
The North American Breeding Bird Survey indicates a declining Massachusetts population trend of -6.1% annually from 1966-2003 (Sauer et al. 2004). Data recorded during the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas (1974-1979) confirmed breeding by Field Sparrows in about 17% of the areas surveyed. Field sparrows were recorded across the state, with no obvious concentrations in a particular part of Massachusetts (Petersen and Meservey 2003).
Habitat
Field sparrows inhabit old fields, pastures, and the edges of woods, including powerline rights-of-way. They prefer areas of grass interspersed with shrubs or small trees, tending to avoid both grasslands devoid of woody vegetation and wooded areas without significant grassy openings.
Healthy habitats are vital for supporting native wildlife and plants. Explore habitats and learn about conservation and restoration in Massachusetts.
Threats
The primary threat to field sparrows in Massachusetts is loss of breeding habitat due to development and the succession of shrubland habitat to forest. Agricultural practices that remove shrubby elements of the landscape are also impactful. Loss of suitable wintering habitat and perils along migratory routes round out the major reasons for the continued decline of the overall field sparrow population.
Conservation
Restoration and management to maintain large tracts of dry shrubland habitat is the key to field sparrow conservation in Massachusetts. This includes the conservation and restoration of barrens and oak woodland occurrences across the state, which ideally involves the use of prescribed fire. Managing utility rights-of-way has enormous potential for increasing habitat availability for shrubland birds and capitalizing on these already existing and essentially permanent shrublands should be encouraged whenever possible. Where suitable habitat currently exists, efforts should be made to protect the landscape from development.
References
Petersen, W.R., and W.R. Meservey. Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas. Amherst, MA: Massachusetts Audubon Society and University of Massachusetts Press, 2003.
Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, and J. Fallon. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966 - 2003. Version 2004.1. Laurel, MD: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 2004.
Contact
| Date published: | April 4, 2025 |
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