(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA

OTHER COMMON NAMES - SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA; SPARROW and GRASSHOPPER

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Birds

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - EMBERIZIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - AMMODRAMUS,

SPECIES AND SSP - SAVANNARUM, FLORIDANUS

SCIENTIFIC NAME - AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM FLORIDANUS

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Florida Grasshopper Sparrow

Ammodramus savannarum floridanus (Mearns, 1902)

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Emberizidae

The Florida grasshopper sparrow is a small, short-tailed sparrow
averaging about 5 inches (12.7 cm) in total length. Top of head
mostly blackish, with a median light stripe; remainder of upper parts
grayish, streaked with reddish brown on nape and upper back, and
heavily marked with blackish otherwise; retrices pointed; underparts
whitish, tinged with buffy on throat and breast, but unstreaked;
stripe over eye, light gray to ochraceous; bend of wing, yellow. In
the juvenile plumage, the breast is steaked. The bill is very thick
at the base; feet flesh-colored (01). This is a strongly marked race
with a large bill, much darker in pelage above and paler in pelage
below than the northern race of grasshopper sparrow (03).
Mearns discovered the subspecies in 1901 "on the Kissimmee
Prairie, 7 miles east of Alligator Bluff, Osceola County" and named
this taxon as Coturniculus savannarum floridanus in 1902 (02). The
type specimen is in the National Museum of Natural History.

Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Florida; Federal Endangered
Florida; Officially Listed

E: Federal Endangered
Federal Migratory
Non-consumptive recreational

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum
floridanus) has been designated an Endangered species pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat.
884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The subspecies has this status
wherever found including the State of Florida.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
This subspecies is covered under the listing of the grasshopper
sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
(16 U.S.C. 703-711 et seq.; 50 CFR 10.13).

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.

Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: Florida
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission and Florida Department of
Natural Resources.
STATE STATUTE: Wildlife Code of the State of Florida, Title 39,
Florida Administrative Code (FAC). Florida
Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 1977,
FAC, Sec. 372.072. Rule 39-27.03 FAC, July,
1983.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Florida grasshopper sparrow has aesthetic value as a part of
Florida's natural heritage and is of interest to birding enthusiasts
in non-consumptive recreational pursuits.

85/04/05:50 FR 13707/13722 - Revised list of Migratory Birds
85/09/18:50 FR 37958/27967 - Notice of review, vertebrate wildlife
85/12/18:50 FR 51565/51569 - Proposed rule, list as Endangered
86/07/31:51 FR 27492/ - Final rule, listed as Endangered

Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL

LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Herbaceous Rangeland
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Mixed Rangeland

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Florida grasshopper sparrow inhabits the stunted growth of
saw palmetto, dwarf oaks 30 to 70 cm high, bluestems, and wiregrass,
seemingly preferring this habitat to the grassy areas usually occupied
by other subspecies of grasshopper sparrows (03). The Florida
grasshopper sparrow uses open spaces where saw palmetto are small (25
to 40 cm high) and grass is sparse. A low, but sparse growth of saw
palmetto, woody shrubs, and bluestems and wiregrass, rather than sod
forming grasses, is apparently needed for nesting. Dense vegetation
and accumulated litter probably preclude effective foraging by the
sparrow (05). In general, grasshopper sparrows occur on treeless,
relatively poorly drained sites that have been burned frequently (04).
Common shrubs in Florida grasshopper sparrow habitat include pawpaw
(Asimina spp.), dwarf oak (Quercus minima), gopher apple (Licania
michauxii), and St. John's wort (Hypericum fasciculatum). The grass
and herbaceous ground layer usually is rich in species, being
dominated by pineland threeawn (Aristida stricta), bluestems
(Andropogon spp.) and flat-topped goldenrod (Euthamia minor). In
wetter areas of lower elevation, the herbaceous layer includes beak
rushes (Rhynchospora spp.), pipewort (Eriocaulon spp.), and
yellow-eyed grass (Xyris spp.) (04).

Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General
General Forb Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Arthropods

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
Examination of the stomachs of 10 specimens taken on the
Kissimmee Prairie showed the bird's food to consist of animal matter
(insects and spiders), 69 percent, and vegetable matter, 31 percent.
The insects taken in greatest quantity were grasshoppers and crickets,
beetles, weevils, and moths and their larvae, with a few flies and
bugs. Seeds of sedges composed most of the vegetable matter, with
some grass seed and seeds of star grass Hypoxis (03).

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
The species is territorial, with males establishing territories
at the start of the breeding season. Size of 22 territories ranged
from 1.2 to 3.3 acres. Territorial boundaries are maintained rigidly
during periods of territorial establishment, nest building, and
incubation. After young hatch, territorial defense declines and
considerable movement of birds into other territories occurs (06).
Habitat containing territories ranges from thick, low palmetto scrub
to grass pastures with a sparse or patchy cover of saw palmetto (04).

PERIODICITY:
Florida grasshoppers sparrows are diurnal, with singing
throughout the day during the breeding season (06).

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This race has long been considered non-migratory, but the only
direct evidence of this is two specimens in the collection of the
National Museum of Natural History, collected at Kenansville, by T.D.
Burleigh, in January 1937, and labeled A. s. floridanus (01). The
collection of these specimens in January indicates that the subspecies
may overwinter at or near its breeding grounds. Northern subspecies
of grasshopper sparrows migrate south through south-central Florida in
the autumn months, although some individuals have been known to remain
in south-central Florida for the winter.

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The Florida grasshopper sparrow uses open spaces where saw
palmetto are small (25 to 40 cm high) and grass is sparse. Dense
vegetation and accumulated litter probably preclude effective foraging
(05). In general, grasshopper sparrows occur on treeless, relatively
poorly drained sites that have been burned frequently (04). Common
shrubs in Florida grasshopper sparrow habitat include pawpaw (Asimina
spp.), dwarf oak (Quercus minima), gopher apple (Licania michauxii),
and St. John's wort (Hypericum fasciculatum). The grass and
herbaceous ground layer usually is rich in species, being dominated by
pineland threeawn (Aristida stricta), bluestems (Andropogon spp.) and
flat-topped goldenrod (Euthamia minor). In wetter areas of lower
elevation, the herbaceous layer includes beak rushes (Rhynchospora
spp.), pipewort (Eriocaulon spp.), and yellow-eyed grass (Xyris spp.)
(04).

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

A low, but sparse, growth of saw palmetto, woody shrubs, and
bluestems and wiregrass, rather than sod forming grasses, is
apparently needed for nesting. Many of the nests are comprised of a
single dead palmetto leaf without any other vegetation to conceal
them; others are placed under dead, drooping palmetto leaves with
small dwarf oaks and wiregrass growing on all sides, while several
have been found in thin tussocks of dead wiregrass which appear to be
too small to hide the bird, much less the nests. Nests are lined with
fine wiregrass, and arched over with grass blades (05).

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Four to five eggs are usually laid (01). Complete sets have been
found in early April and as late as June 20 (01,05). Since young
birds are out of the nest as early as April 21 (02), it appears likely
that two broods are sometimes produced (01). Eggs are white, speckled
with reddish brown and measure 0.72 x 0.55 inch (08).

PARENTAL CARE:
The incubation period for Florida grasshopper sparrows is 11-12
days (05). The female alone incubates the eggs and broods the young;
she sits very closely on the nest (06). Some females will run off
the nest before they are found; others will sit tightly until almost
stepped upon before they flutter off uttering weak squeeking noises,
dragging tails, and fluttering wings as if crippled (05). Young birds
remain in nest about 9 days (06).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The species inhabits the stunted growth of saw palmetto and
dwarf oaks a foot or two high (03). The bird uses the open spaces
where the saw palmettos are small, and grass is sparse (05). Much of
this native prairie has been converted to improved pasture, possibly
causing the extirpation of the sparrow from some of its former range
(04,07). Recent observation, however, indicate that the race may be
adapting to these improved pastures (01).

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The song of this sparrow is one of the weakest of North American
passerine birds (01).

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Selective Thinning
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Suppressing wildfire
Existing Suppressing wildfire

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The principal threat to the Florida grasshopper sparrow is
habitat loss or degradation resulting from conversion of native
grasslands to improved pastures (04). The bird apparently can
tolerate some alteration in vegetation composition and structure, as
evidenced by its occurrence in some improved pastures (01). Sparrows
have been found in improved pastures that are in various stages of
mismanagement, i.e., where native vegetation is beginning to invade.
It appears, however, that the species can not adapt to conditions that
result from intensive pasture management which remove all shrubs and
saw palmetto. Grasshopper sparrows have been found only in areas that
have at least some saw palmetto, shrubs, bluestems, and/or wiregrass.
Nest sites are located on the ground beneath bushes or tall clumps of
grass, features that do not exist in most improved pastures (01,04).
In general, grasshopper sparrows occur on treeless, relatively poorly
drained sites that have been burned frequently (04), and fire
suppression may adversely effect the species.

UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Agency Draft Recovery Plan for
the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Atlanta, GA. 22 pp.

Recovery actions for the Florida grasshopper sparrow may include:

1) Protect existing habitat on Federal and State lands by
maintaining it in early stages of succession through selective
thinning and prescribed burning.
2) Encourage private ranchers to "mismanage" pastures so that some
saw palmettos and shrubs are preserved.
3) Obtain private lands, where possible, and maintain suitable
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

habitat through selective thinning and prescribed burning.
4) Discourage conversion of existing scrub to "improved"
pastureland.
5) Coduct research to determine basic biological needs of the
species.
6) Educate the public.
7) Establish captive breeding program if subspecies' decline in
the wild continues.
8) Reintroduce birds into areas of suitable habitat from wild
populations (transplanting) or captive breeding colony.

Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

References

References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104010
Date 14 MAR 96

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Stevenson, H.M. 1978. Endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow.
Pages 15-16. IN: Rare and endangered biota of Florida,
Vol. 2 - Birds. H.W. Kale, II, ed. Univ. Fla. Presses,
Gainesville.
02 Mearns, E.A. 1902. Description of three new birds from the
southern United States. Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 24:915-926.
03 Howell, A.H. 1932. Florida bird life. Coward - McCann, New York,
NY. 579 pp.
04 Delaney, M.F. and J.A. Cox. 1985. Florida grasshopper sparrow
status survey. Unpublished report on file at: U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Field Station, Jacksonville,
FL. 21 pp.
05 Nicholson, W.H. 1936. Notes on the habits of the Florida
grasshopper sparrow. Auk 53:318-319.
06 Smith, R.L. 1968. Grasshopper sparrow. Pages 725-745. IN: Life
histories of North American cardinals, grosbeaks, buntings,
towhees, finches, sparrows, and allies, Part Two. A.C. Bent. U.S.
Natl. Mus. Bull., 237. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington,
D.C.
07 Davis, J.H. 1980. General map of natural vegetation of Florida.
University Florida Agric. Exp. Station Circ. 5-178.
08 Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida bird life. Coward - McCann, Inc.,
New York, NY, and National Audubon Society. 527 pp.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

01 Delaney, M.F. and J.A. Cox. 1985. Florida grasshopper sparrow
status survey. Unpublished report on file at: U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Field Station, Jacksonville,
FL. 21 pp.
02 Mearns, E.A. 1902. Description of three new birds from the
southern United States. Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 24:915-926.
03 Howell, A.H. 1932. Florida bird life. Coward - McCann, New York,
NY. 579 pp.
04 Nicholson, W.H. 1936. Notes on the habits of the Florida
grasshopper sparrow. Auk 53:318-319.
05 Mason, C.R. 1932. Notes from correspondents. Fla. Nat. 6:15.
06 Schroeder, H.H. 1956. The Florida grasshopper sparrow. Audubon
Magazine 58:70-71, 92.
07 Sutton, G.M. 1946. A baby Florida sandhill crane. Auk
63:100-101.
08 Stevenson, H.M. 1978. Endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow.
Pages 15-16. IN: Rare and endangered biota of Florida,
Vol. 2 - Birds. H.W. Kale, II, ed. Univ. Fla. Presses,
Gainesville.
09 Stevenson, H.M. 1968. Florida region. Audubon field notes.
22:599-602.
10 Ogden, J.C. 1971. Florida region. American Birds 25:280-281.

References - 2