Grasshopper Sparrow

The Grasshopper Sparrow is a small, flat-headed, short-tailed sparrow with an unstreaked buffy-orange breast that sets it apart from most other North American sparrows, which typically show streaked underparts. The crown is dark with a pale central stripe, and the back shows a scaled pattern of chestnut, black, and gray.

The overall impression is of a compact, big-headed, almost tail-less bird that spends most of its time low and hidden in grass, making its distinctive insect-like song often the easiest way to detect its presence.

Key field marks

• Plain, unstreaked buffy-orange breast (unusual among sparrows)
• Flat head profile with a pale central crown stripe
• Short tail and a compact, large-headed body shape
• Scaled chestnut-black-gray pattern on the back

Similar species

• Savannah Sparrow and most other grassland sparrows show clear streaking on the breast, unlike the Grasshopper Sparrow's plain underparts.
• Le Conte's Sparrow and other Ammodramus relatives have more orange in the face and some breast streaking, differing from the Grasshopper Sparrow's essentially unmarked chest.

Grasshopper Sparrows breed across much of the United States and southern Canada, historically tied to native prairie but now also using hayfields and pastures, wherever there is a mix of grass, bare ground, and scattered forbs. The species has declined sharply, among the steepest declines of any North American grassland bird, largely due to loss and intensification of grassland habitat.

The species winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America and the Caribbean, again in open grassy habitats, and is a medium- to long-distance migrant.

Grasshopper Sparrows are notoriously secretive, running through grass like a mouse rather than flying, and are far more often heard than seen; they typically only flush reluctantly and fly a short distance low over the grass before dropping back down.

The song is a very thin, high, insect-like buzz, often preceded by one or two short introductory notes, closely resembling the sound of a grasshopper or cricket, which gives the species its name. Diet is dominated by insects, especially grasshoppers, during the breeding season, with more seeds taken outside of summer. Nests are built on the ground, well hidden under overhanging grass, often with a partial dome or side entrance, and typical clutches contain three to six eggs.