Sabanero Grillo
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
Song
Grasshopper Sparrow
Appearance: The Grasshopper Sparrow is a small, short-tailed sparrow with a rather flat-headed look. It has brown, gray, black, and whitish streaking above, pale buff to whitish underparts, a white eye-ring, a dark crown with a pale central stripe, and a small yellowish patch in front of the eye. Males and females look very similar.
Habitat: It is a bird of open grasslands, including prairies, savannas, dry pastures, hayfields, old fields, and reclaimed grasslands. It prefers areas with enough grass cover to hide nests, but also some bare or open ground for feeding. It usually avoids areas with many trees or dense shrubs.
Behavior: This sparrow is secretive and spends much of its time low in the grass or on the ground. It feeds mainly on insects, especially grasshoppers, along with spiders and seeds. The male’s song is thin and insect-like, which is why it is called the “Grasshopper” Sparrow.
Breeding: The Grasshopper Sparrow nests on the ground, usually hidden in clumps of grass. The nest is often dome-shaped or partly covered, with a side entrance. Females build the nest using grasses, and pairs may raise more than one brood in a season in warmer parts of the range.
Conservation Status: The Grasshopper Sparrow is listed as Least Concern.
MALE
JUVENILE
Distribution
The Grasshopper Sparrow is rare and very local. It has been associated with open grasslands and savanna-like habitats, especially in northern and eastern lowland areas. They can be found in Upper Cauca and Patía watersheds. They can also be found in Nariño at 2600 m.
Taxonomy
The Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Passerellidae
- Genus: Ammodramus
- Species: savannarum
Vocalization
The Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) has several main vocalizations:
Buzz Song: The best-known sound is a thin, insect-like buzz, which gives the bird its name. It usually begins with one to four short notes followed by a long, high trill, often written as “tup zeeee” or “tip-tup zeeee.” Males use this song mainly for territory defense and attracting mates.
Sustained Song: Males may also give a more extended song, especially during courtship or close interaction with females. This song is less often heard than the main buzz song and may help with pair bonding.
Call Note: Both males and females give short alarm or contact calls. These are usually sharp “tik” or “chip” notes. Around the nest, they may give single or double notes such as “chip-chip.”
Alarm Calls: When more disturbed, the alarm call can become a slower, clicking series.
