Le Conte's sparrow  (Ammodramus leconteii)

Le Conte's sparrow is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

One of the most poorly known of North America’s grassland birds, Le Conte’s sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) is notoriously difficult to study due to its secretive behaviour and cryptic plumage. This elusive species usually stays hidden in dense grass, skulking about on the ground, and dives into vegetation when disturbed rather than taking flight (2) (3) (4).

Le Conte’s sparrow is a small, chunky bird with short, rounded wings and a broad bill (2). The tail is almost as long as the wings and has extremely narrow and pointed feathers (3). This species has a buffy-orange face and chest, with black streaks along the sides and flanks and occasionally across the chest. The crown has a white stripe, and there is a pinkish patch at the back of the head, streaked with chestnut (2). There is also a bright buff eyebrow stripe, and the plumage is edged with white (3). The juvenile Le Conte’s sparrow is similar to the adult, but is buffier, with less distinct markings (2).

Le Conte’s sparrow breeds in the prairies and grasslands of the extreme north-central U.S. and central and southern Canada. It also breeds in Ontario and Quebec, where it is patchily distributed (3).

A migratory species, Le Conte’s sparrow spends the winter in the southern U.S. from southern Illinois, central and southern Missouri, south-eastern Kansas, west-central Oklahhoma and west-central Texas, south to the Gulf Coast, and east to western Tennessee and western Florida. It may also winter in the lower Pecos River Valley of south-eastern New Mexico (3).

Whilst breeding, Le Conte’s sparrow prefers open habitats and marshy meadows consisting of fine grasses and sedges. It may also be found around bogs and in low, damp parts of hayfields.

Within its winter range, Le Conte’s sparrow typically inhabits old fields and prairies with a dense covering of grasses and sedges (3).

As a result of the shy, elusive nature of Le Conte’s sparrow, very little is known about its biology and behaviour (3). However, it is thought to nest in May and June. The nest consists of a small, open cup of fine grasses, lined with grass and hair, and is placed on or just about the ground (2) (3). Usually, 4 or 5 eggs are laid, and are incubated for around 13 days (3).

Le Conte’s sparrow usually forages on the ground and in low vegetation, where it feeds on a variety of seeds and arthropods. It is thought to maintain territories using calls, which may also be used to attract a mate during the breeding season (3).

Le Conte’s sparrow is an elusive and secretive species that is rarely recorded during surveys, making accurate estimates of its population size difficult to obtain (3). However, its populations are thought to fluctuate, primarily as a result of changes in local environmental conditions (3) (5). For example, in North Dakota, numbers of Le Conte’s sparrow are highest during wet years, while in the northern Great Plains, numbers increased dramatically after an end to the drought conditions of 1990 to 1993 (3). 

The conservation measure most likely to benefit Le Conte’s sparrow is the protection and management of any grassland within its range. This management may involve man-made fire regimes, as this will stimulate the growth of tall grasses while decreasing the amount of woody encroachment, which will increase the nesting habitat of this species. As Le Conte’s sparrow breeds until at least early July, any disturbance should be delayed until mid July (3).

Find out more about Le Conte’s sparrow:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds - Le Conte’s sparrow:
  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Le_Contes_Sparrow/
• BirdLife International - Le Conte’s sparrow:
  http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=8993