Grasshopper sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grasshopper sparrow |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ammodramus
|
| Species: |
savannarum
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Coturniculus savannarum |
|
The grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) is a small bird. It belongs to a group of birds called New World sparrows. These sparrows live in grasslands and prairies.
One special type of this bird is the Florida grasshopper sparrow. It is an endangered animal. This means there are very few of them left.
Contents
What the Grasshopper Sparrow Looks Like
These small sparrows are about 10–14 cm (3.9–5.5 in) long. That's about the length of your hand! Their wings can spread about 17.5 cm (6.9 in) wide. They weigh from 13.8 to 28.4 g (0.49 to 1.00 oz). This is about the same as a few quarters.
Adult grasshopper sparrows have brown, grey, black, and white stripes on their backs. Their chest is light brown, and their belly is white. They have a short brown tail. Their face is light brown with a ring around their eye. They also have a dark brown top of the head with a thin light stripe in the middle. The way these birds look can be a little different depending on where they live.
Where Grasshopper Sparrows Live and Grow
Grasshopper sparrows make their homes in open fields and prairies. They live in southern Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central America. There is also a small group of them in the Andes mountains of Colombia. They might have also lived in Ecuador before.
Birds from the northern areas fly south for winter. This is called migration. They travel to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Sadly, the number of these birds has gone down a lot. This is true in many places where they live. For example, in New York State, their numbers dropped by 98%.
How Grasshopper Sparrows Behave
These birds build their nests on the ground. They hide their nests well under plants. Their nests are shaped like an open cup.
They look for food on the ground among plants. They mostly eat insects, especially grasshoppers. They also eat seeds.
The Grasshopper Sparrow's Song
The song of this bird sounds like a buzzy tik tuk zee. It sounds a lot like the noise a grasshopper makes!
Unlike some other sparrows, grasshopper sparrows often sing from high, open spots. This makes them easier to hear.
See also
In Spanish: Chingolo saltamontes para niños
