Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Nesting Ecology and Nesting Habitat Requirements of Ohio's Grassland-nesting
Birds: A Literature Review
by
David A. Swanson1
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife
8589 Horseshoe Road, Ashley, Ohio 43003
February 1996
Abstract
A lack of management guidelines for native nongame birds was identified as a
significant problem in the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Strategic Plan for 1990-95.
A literature review was conducted to identify nesting habitat requirements and
research needs for the development of nesting habitat management guidelines
for 11 grassland-nesting bird species in Ohio (see Table 1 for common and scientific
names). Summaries of habitat types used for breeding (nesting and brood rearing),
vegetative characteristics of breeding territories and/or nest sites, area requirements,
and effects of no management, mowing, grazing, and prescribed burning on habitat
use, nesting density, and/or reproductive success were developed for each species.
Nine of the 11 grassland-nesting birds discussed in this paper have populations
that are significantly declining nationally and/or regionally. Factors responsible
for the decline of grassland bird populations are not entirely understood, but
are believed to be a combination of loss and degradation of grassland habitat,
reproductive failure because of high rates of nest predation and parasitism,
and shifts in agricultural practices, such as earlier and more frequent cutting
of hayfields. Each species has a unique set of habitat requirements consisting
of area and vegetation composition and structure. Area-sensitive species, those
encountered most frequently on grassland tracts greater than or equal to 50
ha, include the upland sandpiper, bobolink, Savannah sparrow, and Henslow's
sparrow. Species with a moderate sensitivity to habitat fragmentation are encountered
most frequently on tracts >10 ha and include the eastern meadowlark, western
meadowlark, and grasshopper sparrow. The dickcissel and vesper sparrow have
a low sensitivity to habitat fragmentation and are encountered on grassland
tracts of all sizes. The sensitivity of the lark sparrow and ring-necked pheasant
to habitat fragmentation has not been studied. The upland sandpiper, vesper
sparrow, and lark sparrow prefer short, sparse vegetation and are generally
found in highest densities on recently mowed, grazed, and burned areas. The
bobolink, dickcissel, and Henslow's sparrow prefer tall, dense vegetation characteristic
of unmowed, ungrazed, and unburned areas. Eastern meadowlarks, western meadowlarks,
Savannah sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, and ring-necked pheasants prefer vegetation
of intermediate height and density and show varied responses to mowing, grazing,
and burning. Additional research on the preferred habitat types and vegetation
composition and structure of nesting bobolinks, dickcissels, and lark sparrows
is needed. Further research on effects of mowing on the western meadowlark,
dickcissel, vesper sparrow, and lark sparrow, effects of grazing on the dickcissel,
grasshopper sparrow, and ring-necked pheasant, and effects of burning on the
upland sandpiper, bobolink, eastern meadowlark, dickcissel, Savannah sparrow,
vesper sparrow, lark sparrow, and ring-necked pheasant is needed to develop
sound habitat management guidelines. Although much has been written regarding
nesting ecology and nesting habitat requirements of grassland-nesting birds,
many aspects remain poorly understood and were identified as research needs.
This resource is based on the following source:
Swanson, David A. 1996. Nesting ecology and nesting habitat requirements of
Ohio's grassland-nesting birds: A literature review. Ohio Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Ohio Fish and Wildlife Report 13.
60pp.
This resource should be cited as:
Swanson, David A. 1996. Nesting ecology and nesting habitat requirements of
Ohio's grassland-nesting birds: A literature review. Ohio Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Ohio Fish and Wildlife Report 13.
Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/ohionest/index.htm
(Version 16JUL97).
Table of Contents
1Present Address: Waterloo Wildlife Research Station, New Marshfield,
OH 45766-9989
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