Vesper Sparrow    Pooecetes gramineus

Conservation Status

General Status in Canada : Secure

COSEWIC Status : Endangered

Breeding Bird Surveys indicate that overall North American populations declined significantly between 1966 and 1979, but have subsequently stabilized. Regionally, there has been substantial fluctuation in populations over time. In eastern North America, Vesper Sparrow numbers were probably relatively low prior to European colonization. Land clearing and agricultural development created an abundance of preferred habitats for this species. In recent times, much of that land has been either converted to urban areas or is reverting to forest, once again rendering it unsuitable for Vesper Sparrows. In mid-western United States and the Canadian prairies, large scale agricultural developments have substantially reduced the number of hedgerows, fence lines and weed patches and, consequently, impacted Vesper Sparrow populations in some areas.

Reference(s)

Jones, S. L., and J. E. Cornely. 2002. Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), 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/624