Sprague's Pipit

The Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) is a modestly sized songbird, a member of the Motacillidae family, known for its aerial song displays. It is characterized by a buffy brown plumage with darker streaking, a slender bill, and legs that range in hue from pinkish to yellow. With a length of 5.9-6.7 inches, a weight of 0.6-0.9 ounces, and a wingspan of approximately 10 inches, this bird is a wonder to observe in its natural prairie habitat.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Sprague's pipit, look for its cryptic coloration which allows it to blend seamlessly with the grasslands it calls home. Both males and females share a similar appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based on plumage alone. Observers are more likely to identify this species by its distinctive song rather than by sight.

Habitat

The Sprague's pipit breeds in native grasslands, favoring areas with minimal human disturbance. These birds are ground nesters and utilize standing dead vegetation to construct a protective canopy over their nests.

Distribution

During the breeding season, Sprague's pipits can be found across the north central prairies of the United States and Canada. Their breeding range extends from southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and southwest Manitoba, down to northeastern and central Montana, western and central North Dakota, northwest South Dakota, and the Red River Valley of Minnesota. Come winter, they migrate to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with occasional sightings as vagrants in other regions.

Behaviour

Sprague's pipits are migratory birds, traveling vast distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. They are unique among songbirds for their high-flying singing behavior, reminiscent of a goldfinch or skylark. This species is more often heard than seen, with its descending song serving as a key identifier.

Song & Calls

The song of the Sprague's pipit is a captivating auditory experience, typically delivered from high in the sky. This descending melody is a hallmark of the species and a delight to any birder fortunate enough to be within earshot.

Breeding

The breeding season for Sprague's pipits begins as early as late April and can continue until mid to late August. Their nests are small cups of grass on the ground, concealed under a canopy of dead vegetation with a single entrance. Clutches typically consist of four to six eggs, with an incubation period of 13–14 days. While they are predominantly single-brooded, there have been occasional reports of renesting and second broods.

Diet and Feeding

Sprague's pipits have a diet that includes insects, spiders, and sometimes seeds. During the breeding season, they are almost exclusively insectivorous, providing their young with a diet rich in protein from various insects.

Conservation status

The Sprague's pipit is currently listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. In Canada, it has been designated as "threatened" since 1999, with this status reaffirmed in 2000 and officially listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003. In the United States, it is a candidate for listing as "endangered" or "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, though other species have taken priority for listing. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of this unique prairie songbird.