Henslow's Sparrow

The Henslow's Sparrow, Centronyx henslowii, is a small, inconspicuous bird with a rather secretive nature. Adults are characterized by their streaked brown upperparts and light brown breast with streaks. They possess a white belly and throat, a pale stripe atop the crown flanked by darker stripes, an olive face and neck, rust-coloured wings, and a short, dark, forked tail.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Henslow's Sparrow, look for its distinctive head pattern with a central pale stripe and darker side stripes. Its olive face and neck, along with the rust-coloured wings, are also key features. This bird is relatively small, with a length of 4.3–5.1 inches (11–13 cm), a weight of 0.4–0.5 ounces (11–14 g), and a wingspan of 6.3–7.9 inches (16–20 cm).

Habitat

The Henslow's Sparrow favors shrubby, often wet fields for its breeding grounds. These habitats are typically found in southern Canada, the northeastern United States, and the midwestern United States. During migration, they seek out marshes and open pine woods in the southeastern United States.

Distribution

This species has experienced a decline in range and numbers, largely due to the loss of grassland habitats. However, conservation efforts such as the Conservation Reserve Program in the United States have helped stabilize its population.

Behaviour

Henslow's Sparrows are ground foragers, feeding on insects, berries, and seeds. They are known to nest in small colonies, with their nests being well-concealed open cups on or near the ground in grassy areas.

Song & Calls

The song of the Henslow's Sparrow is a brief and subtle "se-lick," often heard during the breeding season.

Breeding

Breeding habitats are typically shrubby and sometimes wet fields. Notably, a population near a winery in Central Kentucky demonstrated successful breeding with as little as 5 acres of grassy habitat, challenging previous assumptions that larger areas were necessary.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Henslow's Sparrow primarily consists of insects, including grasshoppers and beetles, as well as berries and seeds, which they forage for on the ground.

Conservation status

The Henslow's Sparrow is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to conservation programs that have contributed to the stabilization of its population.