Baird’s Sparrow
NDGF
L 5.5”, WS 8.75”, 0.6 oz. Brownish overall except or yellow-orange color on a flat head. Narrow band of fine dark streaks on the breast.
Status in North Dakota
Occurs in North Dakota from early May to early September. Peak breeding season early June to late July.
Range Map
Baird’s Sparrow primary (dark gray) and possible/uncommon (light gray) breeding range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
Regionally and globally imperiled, ND range important (SGCN a., b.).
ND ranks 2nd out of 5 states for highest percent of the global population (10.01%) during the breeding season (eBird).
The Baird’s Sparrow is declining precipitously, and the population has decreased 71% since 1970.
ND has high stewardship responsibility for this species.
Threats
- Loss of grassland.
- Degradation of grasslands from invasive plants, woody encroachment, succession, and loss of diversity.
- Particularly, invasion of yellow sweetclover causes a decrease in occurrence.
- Loss of ranching heritage and grassbased operations, grazing is essential to grassland health and diversity.
- Loss of grassland on the wintering grounds in the Chihuahuan Desert.
- Classified as climate-endangered, Baird’s Sparrow is projected to lose more than half of its current distribution by 2050, with no net gains of new areas (Audubon).
- Parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds may be greater than for other grassland birds.
Research and Monitoring
- Habitat requirements and demographic studies have been broadly researched on the breeding grounds.
- Additional information is needed on migration and wintering behaviors.
- The Breeding Bird Survey, eBird and Partners in Flight Databases are key sources of information on distribution and population trends.
Management Recommendations
- Protect and conserve large, intact tracks of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Reconstruct or restore grassland adjacent to existing tracts of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Use native grasses when replanting or restoring grassland.
- Promote well-managed grazing lands and working grasslands for biodiversity, sustainability, and resiliency.
- Prevent or remove shrubs and tall woody vegetation in grasslands, either mechanically or by prescribed fire.
- Delay mowing or haying until August 1.
- Avoid or minimize placement of development (e.g. energy, housing, utility lines) or other human infrastructure in native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Follow beneficial or best practices during the design, siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of tall structures (e.g. transmission lines, communication towers, wind turbines).
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Baird’s Sparrows prefer idle native mixed-grass prairie, lightly to moderately grazed pastures, and tame grasslands. CRP, wet meadows, or dense grass within hayland and cropland are utilized to a lesser extent.
Vegetative structure may influence use more than vegetative species composition. Stands of grasses with narrow leaves are readily used whereas stands with broad-leaved grasses or abundant low-growing shrubs such as snowberry are often avoided.
Native plant communities with needlegrass, grama, Junegrass, and bluestem species are correlated with high Baird’s Sparrow abundance in North Dakota.
The percentage of club moss cover also is positively correlated to high abundance.
Minimum area requirements for Baird’s Sparrows are unknown, but it is presumed large, contiguous tracts of native prairie are required to maintain populations.
Nest on the ground.
Forages on the ground for insects and seeds.