Savannah Sparrow    Passerculus sandwichensis

Migratory Status: Short-distance migrant

PIF Population Estimate: 80 000 000

Percent of western hemisphere population breeding in boreal forest: <25%

BAM Effective Detection Radius (m) : 77.07

PIF Maximum Detection Distance (m) : 125

Canadian BBS Population trend: -0.9 (-1.3 to -0.5)

Life History

The Savannah Sparrow is a small, heavily streaked songbird, inhabiting a wide range of non-forested landscapes. Its size and appearance varies substantially over its range. In general, it is a non-descript, light-brown sparrow with yellowish lores, white underparts and a noticeably streaked breast. The Savannah Sparrow has one of the most extensive breeding ranges of all North American birds, occurring from Alaska’s tundra south into the sparse grasslands of central Mexico.

In boreal regions, Savannah Sparrows inhabit grass and sedge meadows, cultivated fields, pastures, roadsides, clearcuts and tundra. They tend to avoid heavily treed areas, but will readily use forest edges, particularly in migration. Savannah Sparrows forage mainly on the ground or in low vegetation. In the breeding season, they actively hunt insects and other arthropods, subduing their prey by banging it on the ground, shaking or crushing it with its beak. Savannah Sparrows will also leap into the air to capture flying insects. Seeds and fruits are consumed in large quantities, particularly when arthropods are in short supply.

Savannah Sparrows are highly territorial. Most antagonistic interactions are ritualized displays such as parallel walking or flutter flights. Early in the breeding season, before territorial boundaries are well established, fighting between neighbouring males is common. These disputes often consist of aerial chases, and sometimes physical combat where the birds will beat their wings against each other, or fall to the ground in a scuffle. Territories are variable in size, often only 0.5 ha in size, but may be larger than 1.0 ha in areas of poorer habitats. The size and shape of the territory is fluid and changes over the season depending on how many partners a particular male has, the stage of the breeding cycle, or incursions by newly-arriving male competitors.

Only adult males give a complete song. They sing from elevated perches, often low shrubs. The song is variable but typically consists of a series of short, buzzy, insect-like notes or phrases such as “tsit-tsit-tsit, ka-cheeee, it”. The most commonly heard calls are a dry “chip” and a soft “tsip”.

Reference(s)

Wheelwright, N. T., and J. D. Rising. 2008. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), The Birds of North America Online, . A. Poole, Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North America Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/045