Grasshopper Sparrow
ExploreBirds
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
The Grasshopper Sparrow is a small bird that loves to hop around in grassy fields. It has a sweet, chirpy song that sounds like it's singing about summer days.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Grasshopper Sparrow is a small, streaky brown bird with a large, flat head and a short tail. It has a buffy chest and an unstreaked pale belly, often with a yellow patch near the bend of its wing, making it look well-hidden in dry grasses.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyPasserellidaeGenusAmmodramus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Some Grasshopper Sparrows travel thousands of miles to warmer lands for winter!
Their eggs are often spotted with reddish-brown, making them tiny works of art!
Unlike many birds, they prefer to walk or run through fields rather than fly long distances!
When singing, a male Grasshopper Sparrow often tilts its head back dramatically!
Special abilities
Ability
Master of Camouflage
Grasshopper Sparrows have streaky brown plumage that helps them blend perfectly into tall, dry grasses to hide from predators.
Ability
Buzzing Song
Grasshopper Sparrows can produce a high-pitched, insect-like buzz as a song, helping them communicate and claim territory.
Ability
Ground Sneak
Grasshopper Sparrows can run quickly through dense vegetation like a mouse, which helps them forage and evade detection.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 11-14 cm
- Wingspan
- 17-22 cm
- Weight
- 0.013-0.02 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-4 years
- Top Speed
- 35 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-6
- Incubation
- 10-13 days
- Migration Distance
- 3000 km
Diet & Feeding
These tiny birds feast mostly on insects like grasshoppers and beetles, plus a few seeds!
Age differences: Young birds eat mostly soft-bodied insects, while adults include more seeds in their diet.
Primary Foods
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Crickets
- Caterpillars
- Spiders
- Grass seeds
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Red-legged Grasshopper
Melanoplus femurrubrum
A primary food source for sparrows, rich in protein.
eats
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
Sparrows help control this common agricultural pest.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common aerial predator of small grassland birds.
depends on
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Key prairie grass providing essential cover and nesting sites.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Singing
Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Grasshopper Sparrow?
11-14 cm
What is Grasshopper Sparrow's wingspan?
17-22 cm
How much does Grasshopper Sparrow weigh?
0.013-0.02 kg
How long does Grasshopper Sparrow live?
2-4 years
How fast can Grasshopper Sparrow move?
35 km/h
What does Grasshopper Sparrow eat?
These tiny birds feast mostly on insects like grasshoppers and beetles, plus a few seeds!
Where is Grasshopper Sparrow usually found?
Grasslands
How does Grasshopper Sparrow hunt?
Foraging
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