LeConte’s Sparrow (LCSP)
Ammodramus leconteii
Range
The LeConte’s Sparrow is primarily found in Canada during the breeding season, along with a few states in the Midwest of the U.S. When migrating they can be spotted throughout most of the eastern part of the midwestern states, and they winter in the southern central portion of the U.S., including Oklahoma, and a small section of Kansas.
Additional Maps
Identification
The LeConte’s Sparrow is a small, rotund songbird, with remarkable black streaks and eye-catching ginger eyebrow and cheek patches. Both males and females appear the same, with a pink bill and pale pink legs. The bird has a small stripe of gray on the face, and two dark black stripes leading from the forehead to the back of the head, with a white stripe in the middle. This black and white streaking continues down the back, wings, and chest of this species. Between the streaks, the chest is a bright white color, while the rest of the body is various shades of warm sandy brown and tan. The tail and flight feathers are a sandy grayish brown shade.
Juveniles appear almost identical to mature adults, with more streaking on all of their body except the chest, where they actually lack streaking. The bright ginger patches on the face are also much more dull in younger birds, as is the pinkness of the bill. The song of the LeConte’s Sparrow consists of short chirps and trills, while their common call is a shrill tsip.
Habitat
LeConte’s Sparrows primarily reside in prairies, areas with tall native grasses, hayfields, and marshes. They breed on edges of wetlands, marshes, wet meadows, or anywhere else with damp soil and shallow pools of water. In these locations, they nest in dense shrubbery, weeds, and grasses. As a general overview, their habitat can best be described as marshy grasslands. They will not occupy or breed in any open area lacking in dense vegetation, and do not do well in agricultural fields. They will also not settle anywhere near human developments, areas with invasive plant life, or dry or sandy soil.
Conservation Status
- Listed as Decreasing by American Bird Conservancy
- Listed as Least Concern by BirdLife International
- Listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Listed as Secure by Nature Serve Explorer
Threats to Conservation
The main threat to the LeConte’s Sparrow is a loss of habitat due to fire suppression, pollution of marshes and wetlands, invasive grasses, and overgrazing of their native habitats. Since the birds rely on dense grasses and plant life, they are very susceptible to invasive or exotic grasses, and will not populate an area with a lack of native plants. They will also not settle anywhere with a general lack of plants, which is why overgrazing and agricultural overtaking of their native land threatens their populations and pushes them to search for new breeding and wintering grounds annually. In addition, chemicals and pesticides in or near their habitats also harm the birds, especially if the water in their area is affected. The birds will not breed near contaminated water, or will not survive if they do, but will also not breed in dry areas, meaning they require clean wetlands with plenty of native vegetation.
Funding Opportunities
- America the Beautiful Challenge
- Conservation Nation Grant Program
- Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program
- Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Small Grant Program
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program
- Natural Areas Research Grant
- Natural Legacy Program
- Nature Works
- Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant
- The Migratory Bird Program
- Tribal Wildlife Grants
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- Wildlife Habitat Grant Program
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund
General Management Guides
Regional Management Guides
- Birds of Nebraska
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois State Wildlife Action Plan
- Minnesota State Wildlife Action Plan
- Missouri State Wildlife Action Plan
- North Dakota Fish and Wildlife Services
- North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan
- Oklahoma City Audubon Society
- South Dakota Species Highlight
- South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan