Editing LeConte's sparrow

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = LESP-Erickson.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 December 2023">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International. |year=2021 |title=''Ammospiza leconteii'' |volume=2021 |page=e.T22721135A189212442 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22721135A189212442.en |access-date=19 December 2023}}</ref>
| genus = Ammospiza
| species = leconteii
| authority = ([[John James Audubon|Audubon]], 1844)
| range_map = Ammodramus leconteii map.svg
}}

'''LeConte's sparrow''' ('''''Ammospiza leconteii'''''), also known as ''LeConte's bunting'',<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/> is one of the smallest [[New World sparrow]] species in [[North America]].<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia">Terres, J.K. (1980). The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf</ref>

==Description==
LeConte's sparrow is a small sparrow with a relatively large head, short grey [[Beak|bill]] and short pointed tail. It has a [[buffy (color)|buffy]] yellow-orange face with grey [[cheek]]s, and a dark brown crown with a white central stripe. The [[Nape|nape of the neck]] is lilac grey with chestnut streaks, and the back is streaked with brown and beige. Its belly is off white, while the breast and sides are a buffy orange-yellow with dark brown streaks. The feet and legs are a brownish-pink colour.

[[File:Le Conte's Sparrow.jpg|thumb|LeConte's sparrow hiding under the cover of grass]]

=== Measurements ===
The measurements for both sexes are:<ref name=Cornell/>
* Length: 4.7 in/ 12&nbsp;cm
* Wingspan: 7.1 in/18&nbsp;cm
* Weight: 0.4–0.6 oz/ 12–16 g

=== Similar birds ===
LeConte's sparrow is commonly mistaken for other small sparrows, such as the [[Nelson's sparrow]] (''Ammospiza nelsoni''), [[grasshopper sparrow]] (''Ammodramus savannarum''), [[Henslow's sparrow]] (''Centronyx henslowii''), [[saltmarsh sparrow]] (''Ammospiza caudacuta''), and [[Baird's sparrow]]. (''C. bairdii'').<ref name=Vanner/><ref name=Earley>Earley, C.G. (2003). ''sparrows and Finches of the Great Lakes Region and eastern North America''. Firefly Books</ref>

==Taxonomy==
LeConte's sparrow is a member of the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Passerine|Passerifomes]], which are the perching birds, sometimes less accurately referred to as the [[songbird]]s. It is from the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Passerellidae]], which is characterized by species of small birds with bills adapted to seed eating.  LeConte's sparrow was placed in the genus ''Ammodramus'' in the past and a molecular phylogeny of the related groups identified that genus as being polyphyletic and recommended the group to be split up. This species falls within the [[genus]] ''[[Ammospiza]]'' clade which includes ''A. maritimus'', ''A. nelsoni'', and ''A. caudacutus'',<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Klicka|first1=John|last2=Keith Barker|first2=F.|last3=Burns|first3=Kevin J.|last4=Lanyon|first4=Scott M.|last5=Lovette|first5=Irby J.|last6=Chaves|first6=Jaime A.|last7=Bryson|first7=Robert W.|date=2014|title=A comprehensive multilocus assessment of sparrow (Aves: Passerellidae) relationships|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1055790314001535|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|language=en|volume=77|pages=177–182|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2014.04.025|pmid=24792084|bibcode=2014MolPE..77..177K |url-access=subscription}}</ref> which are the ground-loving sparrows that prefer staying in tall, thick grasses to perching on trees. There has been a recorded case of a LeConte's sparrow that [[Hybrid (biology)|hybridized]] with a Nelson's sparrow, in June 1949 in Ontario, Canada.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/>

LeConte's sparrow was first described by [[John Latham (ornithologist)|John Latham]] in 1790 but only received a valid binomial name from [[John James Audubon]] in 1844. He wrote, "I have named this interesting species after my young friend Doctor Le Conte, son of Major Le Conte, so well known among naturalists, and who is, like his father, much attached to the study of natural history."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Audubon |first1=John James |title=Birds of America |date=1844 |page=338 |edition=Vol. 7}}</ref> It is generally believed that he meant [[John Lawrence LeConte]] (whose father had been an Army surveyor with the rank of major), although some feel that he was referring to another [[John LeConte]], also a doctor, and John Lawrence's cousin.{{cn|date=January 2023}}

== Habitat and distribution ==

===Range===
LeConte's sparrow breeds in select areas of [[Canada]], such as northeastern [[British Columbia]], across [[Alberta]], [[Saskatchewan]] and southern [[Manitoba]] as well as central [[Ontario]] and into [[Quebec]]; and as far south as northern [[Michigan]], [[Montana]] and [[Minnesota]]. It winters in the southeastern [[United States]]; as far west as central [[Texas]] and as far north as central [[Illinois]] and [[Missouri]].<ref name="Manitoba Naturalists">Manitoba Naturalists Society (Holland, G.E., C.E. Curtis and P. Taylor). (2003). The Birds of Manitoba: Manitoba Avian Research Committee.</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Le con1 range.jpg|thumb|LeConte's Range Map, Audubon, http://birds.audubon.org/species/le-con1 <ref> Society, N.A.(2011)Le Conte's sparrow.Retrieved October 2011, from Audubon: http://birds.audubon.org/species/le-con1</ref>]] -->

===Habitat===
LeConte's sparrow prefers moist open grassy areas with sufficient vegetation cover to provide shelter. Known habitat use includes meadows, fields, crop stubble, shallow marshy edges, prairie, and occasionally fens and lake-shores within the boreal forest.<ref name="Manitoba Naturalists"/> Studies have shown that vegetation seems to have a greater impact on the abundance of this bird than other factors like climate or patch size.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Winter, M.|author2=J.A. Shaffer|author3= D.H. Johnson|author4= T.M. Donovan|author5= W.D. Svedarsky|author6= P.W. Jones |author7= B.R. Euliss|year=2005|title=Habitat and Nesting of Le Conte's sparrows in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie|journal= Journal of Field Ornithology|volume= 76|issue=1|pages= 61–71|doi=10.1648/0273-8570-76.1.61 |bibcode=2005JFOrn..76...61W }}</ref> Winter ''et al.'' (2005) says that it can be found at highest densities in areas with a "moderate amounts of bare ground". Agriculture and drainage of these areas is currently the greatest threat to LeConte's sparrow.<ref name=Alsop>Alsop, F.J. (2002). Birds of Canada. Toronto: Dorling Kindersley Handbooks</ref>

==Behaviour==
It is a very secretive bird that prefers to spend most of its time on the ground under the cover of tall grasses.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/> They are typically very difficult to flush, often only [[Escape distance|flushing at a distance]] of {{cvt|1–3|m|ft|0}} as they prefer to run across the ground.<ref name=Cornell>{{cite web|title=LeConte's sparrow |access-date=13 October 2011|website= Cornell Lab of Ornithology|url= http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Le_Contes_sparrow/lifehistory}}</ref> When they do emerge they rarely fly more than a foot or two above the grass and often descend again within a few meters.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/><ref name=Vanner>Vanner, M. (2004). ''The Encyclopedia of North American Birds''. Bath: Parragon Publishing.</ref> Because it is so rarely seen, there are still many gaps in knowledge about LeConte's sparrow. Nests are often very hard to find, and individuals are more often identified by sound than by sight. For example, one survey of LeConte's sparrows identified 86 males by sound, but only 8 of those males by sight.<ref name=Earley/> For the same reason, very few LeConte's have ever been [[Bird ringing|banded]]. Between 1967 and 1984, only 355 were actually banded, and none were ever re-captured.<ref name=Cornell/>

===Vocalizations===
The male's song resembles a [[grasshopper]] buzz with a short squeaky introductory note and ending with a short chirp.<ref name="Manitoba Naturalists"/> It is often described as ''tika-zzzzzzzzzzzz-tik'' while the call is a short ''tsip''.<ref name=Earley/><ref name=Alsop/> It is most commonly confused with the song of the [[Nelson's sparrow]]. The male generally sings from a concealed location, but can also be seen singing from the top of protruding grass stems, or occasionally in flight.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/>

===Diet===
Their diet in the summer is mostly [[insect]]s such as [[weevil]]s, [[leafhopper]]s, [[leaf beetle]]s, [[Halyomorpha halys|stinkbug]]s, [[caterpillar]]s, [[moth]]s and [[spider]]s.<ref name=Easterla>{{cite journal|author=Easterla, D. A. |date=1 April 1962|title=Foods of Le Conte's sparrow|journal= [[Ornithology (journal)|The Auk]]|volume=79 |issue=2 |pages= 272–273|doi=10.2307/4082534 |jstor=4082534 }}</ref> During the winter time the main diet consists of [[seed predation|seeds]] of [[grass]]es and [[weed]]s such as [[Sporobolus heterolepis|northern dropseed]], [[Indian grass]], [[Alopecurus pratensis|yellow foxtail]], [[Panicum virgatum|panic-grass]], [[scorpion-grass]], [[little bluestem]], and [[big bluestem]].<ref name=Easterla/>

===Reproduction===
[[Mating]] can start as early as late April but peaks in mid-May.<ref name="Manitoba Naturalists"/> Males will sing from the cover of dense grasses, perched on tall grass or in flight.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/> Clutches range from two to six eggs with four being the most common.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/> [[Avian incubation|Incubation]] is done solely by the female, though both parents aid in feeding.<ref name=Alsop/> Incubation lasts an average of 11–13 days.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/> [[Hatchling]]s are [[altricial]] with dull brown [[Down feather|downy]] patches.<ref name=Cornell/><ref name="Baicich Harrison">Baicich, P.J. and C. J. Harrison. (1997). ''A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds Second Edition''. Natural World Academic Press.</ref> Pairs will have one or two broods per year.<ref name=Alsop/> Due to the secretive nature of this bird little is known about the period of time between hatching and [[Fledge|fledging]].<ref name="Baicich Harrison"/>

====Nest====
[[Bird nest|Nests]] are built by the female and are [[cup nest|cup]] shaped, made from fine grasses and lined with soft grass and [[hair]].<ref name=Cornell/><ref name="Baicich Harrison"/> They are usually attached to standing grasses or [[Cyperaceae|sedges]] and are built on or close to the ground.<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Baicich Harrison"/> Their nests are often [[Parasitism|parasitized]] by [[brown-headed cowbird]]s (''Molothrus ater'').<ref name="Audubon Encyclopedia"/>

====Eggs====
[[bird egg|Eggs]] are 18 X 14&nbsp;mm long and are [[Ellipse|sub elliptical]] in shape.<ref name="Baicich Harrison"/> Eggs are white with undertones of green, grey or blue; covered in fine brown dots, speckles or splotches usually clustered near large end of egg.<ref name="Baicich Harrison"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

===Theses===
* Doster RH. Ph.D. (2005). ''Ecology and conservation of wintering migratory birds in early-successional habitats of the lower Mississippi River alluvial valley''. University of Arkansas, United States, Arkansas.
* Reynolds MC. M.S. (1997). ''Effects of burning on birds in mesquite-grassland''. The University of Arizona, United States, Arizona.

===Articles===
* Anderson KS. (1975). ''1st Massachusetts Specimen of Le-Contes sparrow''. Auk. vol '''92''', no 1.
* Dale BC, Martin PA & Taylor PS. (1997). ''Effects of hay management on grassland songbirds in Saskatchewan''. Wildlife Society Bulletin. vol '''25''', no 3. pp.&nbsp;616–626.
* Dove CJ, Schmidt B, Gebhard C & Leboeuf E. (2001). ''Late record of Le Conte's sparrow in Florida''. Florida Field Naturalist. vol '''29''', no 3.
* Hanowski JM, Christian DP & Nelson MC. (1999). ''Response of breeding birds to shearing and burning in wetland brush ecosystems''. Wetlands. vol '''19''', no 3. pp.&nbsp;584–593.
* Harris B. (1973). ''Deuel County Notes Specimen Records for Barred Owl and Le-Contes sparrow''. South Dakota Bird Notes. vol '''26''', no 2.
* Igl LD & Johnson DH. (1995). ''Dramatic increase of Le Conte's sparrow in conversion reserve program fields in the Northern Great Plains''. Prairie Naturalist. vol '''27''', no 2. pp.&nbsp;89–94.
* Johnson DH & Igl LD. (2001). ''Area requirements of grassland birds: A regional perspective''. Auk. vol '''118''', no 1. pp.&nbsp;24–34.
* Maxwell TC, Madden DE & Dawkins RC. (1988). ''Status of Le Conte's sparrow Ammodramus-Leconteii Emberizidae Wintering in Western Texas USA''. Southwestern Naturalist. vol '''33''', no 3. pp.&nbsp;373–375.
* Reynolds MC & Krausman PR. (1998). ''Effects of winter burning on birds in mesquite grassland''. Wildlife Society Bulletin. vol '''26''', no 4. pp.&nbsp;867–876.
* Richter CH. (1969). ''The Le Contes sparrow in Northeastern Wisconsin''. Passenger Pigeon. vol '''31''', no 3. pp.&nbsp;275–277.
* Robbins S. (1969). ''New Light on the Le Contes sparrow''. Passenger Pigeon. vol '''31''', no 3. pp.&nbsp;267–274.
* Roberts JP & Schnell GD. (2006). ''Comparison of survey methods for wintering grassland birds''. Journal of Field Ornithology. vol '''77''', no 1. pp.&nbsp;46–60.
* Villard MA & Bracken RA. (1989). ''First Confirmed Breeding Record of Le Conte's sparrow Ammodramus-Leconteii in Eastern Ontario Canada''. Canadian Field-Naturalist. vol '''103''', no 1. pp.&nbsp;89–90.
* Winter M, Shaffer JA, Johnson DH, Donovan TM, Svedarsky WD, Jones PW & Euliss BR. (2005). ''Habitat and nesting of Le Conte's sparrows in the northern tallgrass prairie''. Journal of Field Ornithology. vol '''76''', no 1. pp.&nbsp;61–71.

==External links==
*[http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5480id.html Le Conte's sparrow - ''Ammodramus leconteii''] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110905042544/http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/lespar/index.htm "Le Conte's Sparrow: Ephemeral Jewel of the Northern Great Plains"] - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

{{Taxonbar|from=Q28812551}}

[[Category:Ammospiza|LeConte's sparrow]]
[[Category:Birds of Canada]]
[[Category:Native birds of the Plains-Midwest (United States)]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1844|LeConte's sparrow]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John James Audubon]]