Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Pooecetes gramineus
(Emberizidae)
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S5B
Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
none
BLM:
none
General Description
The information for this species is not complete. We hope to have it available soon.
Migration
In the Bozeman area, normal migration periods are April 23 to May 20 and September 10 to 23 (Skaar 1969).
Habitat
In central Montana they nest on the ground under big sagebrush, but concealment of the nest is not greatly important (Best 1970). They are found in areas where vegetation was short and dense, with a high percentage of cover (Reed 1984).
Food Habits
In central Montana, 70-90% of food was animal (mostly Coleopterans), while 3 to 23% was plant (mostly grass seeds) in areas grazed 2 years before and sprayed with chemicals (Best 1970).
Ecology
In central Montana, an average of 24 breeding pairs per 100 acres was found (U68FEI01). Territories associated with the less preferred tall and patchy vegetation are larger than territories in preferred vegetation (Reed 1984).
Reproductive Characteristics
In central Montana, the average clutch size was 3.25. Near Fortine, full clutch dates range from May 30 to July 25. Statewide, nesting is from late May to late August (probably 2nd broods) (Davis 1961).
Citations & Sources
- Lenard, S., J. Carlson, J. Ellis, C. Jones, and C. Tilly. 2003. P. D. Skaar's Montana Bird Distribution, 6th Edition. Montana Audubon, Helena, Montana. vi + 144 pp.
- NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. 2002. Version 1.6 . Arlington, Virginia, USA: NatureServe. Available: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: March 20, 2003 ).
