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education: birds of georgia Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii
Status: Uncommon winter resident in Coastal Plain including barrier islands from 6 Oct (2001) - 27 Apr (1943). Rare transient and winter resident north of Fall Line (Beaton et al 2003). Peak passage at Atlanta 20 Oct- 7 Nov (Kennesaw Marsh ( Cobb ) and Cochran Shoals ( Cobb ). In GA, most often seen in counties along coast and on St. Catherine's Island, but also in Ware , Evans , Bake r, and other counties in Coastal Plain. Habitat: Weedy fields. Breeds in fields and meadows with some low-lying, damp areas with tall grass, standing dead weed stalks and scattered shrubs (Kaufman 1996) in e KS, nw OK, IA, s MN, s WI, s Mi, MO, IL, IN, OH, central PA, w HY, s NH, s ONT, e WV, VA, central KY and sparingly in NC. In GA, found in powerline cuts that are partially damp but also in dry, weedy fields. Habitat requirements poorly understood, and species occurs in some habitats that are drier than expected, e.g. at Ichauway Plantation ( Baker ) seen in dry pasture with short, thick grass (Howard, Pierre) and at Evans Public Fishing Area ( Evans ), seen in dry, weedy field with remnant long-leaf pine ( pinus palustris ) and prickly pear cactus ( opuntia compressa ). Habitat requirements on breeding grounds and wintering grounds need more study. Diet: Mostly insects and seeds. In summer, feeds on crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, stink bugs, caterpillars, wasps and many others. In winter, mostly seeds, including those of weeds, grasses and sedges (Kaufman 1996). Identification: Small (L 5 in; WS 6.5 in; WT 0.46 oz) (Sibley 2000), with head relatively large and flat and large, thick pinkish bill that appears to form a flat line with the crown. Head color a unique olive-green. Dark eye with prominent white eye-ring. Black eye-line narrow as it follows top of auricular back toward nape, curving downward and becoming larger at terminus. Short lateral throat stripe. Throat white. Narrow buffy breast band finely striped with black. Belly white and flanks buffy. Sides streaked prominently with black. Upperparts have rich rufous tones including in tertials, wing coverts, back and tail. Back has symmetrical scaly pattern of black feathers with rufous edges lined with white. In flight, upperparts look strongly rufous and tail looks rounded when fanned. Head color sometimes apparent in flight. Weak, short flight is first strong clue to identification. Conservation: Has suffered steep declines throughout most of its breeding range due to conversion of habitat to agriculture and sprawl. Should be given threatened status under Endangered Species Act. Conservation efforts currently underway include land preservation on breeding and wintering grounds.
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