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At least 1,747 records · Page 97Linked to original sources
USGS2020

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Brewer’s Sparrow ( Spizella breweri breweri )

Keys to Brewer’s Sparrow ( Spizella breweri breweri ) management include maintaining extensive, unfragmented patches of suitable breeding habitat; reducing conifer cover and height; preventing the invasion of conifers and nonnative plants, especially cheatgrass (downy brome [ Bromus tectorum ]); minimizing disturbance to soil; and restricting the use of pesticides and herbicides during the breeding season (April–July). Brewer’s Sparrows have been reported to use breeding habitats with 12–170 centimeter (cm) vegetation height, 2–34 cm visual obstruction reading, 1–74 percent grass cover, less than (<) 19 percent forb cover, 1–65 percent shrub cover, 1–75 percent bare ground, 2–61 percent litter cover, and <1 cm litter depth. During post-fledging dispersal in July, Brewer’s Sparrow adults and young may shift habitat use to nearby aspen ( Populus species [spp.]), riparian shrub, or deciduous mountain shrub habitats, so these habitats also may be important for management.

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USGS2025

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla )

Keys to Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla ) management include providing shrub-dominated edge habitat adjacent to grasslands or grasslands with a shrub component (both of which must include dense grass and moderately high litter cover) and avoiding disturbances that eliminate woody vegetation. Field Sparrows have been reported to use habitats with 16–134 centimeters (cm) vegetation height, 20–145 cm visual obstruction reading, 17–90 percent grass cover, 2–45 percent forb cover, less than 63 percent shrub cover, 3–7 percent bare ground, 14–30 percent litter cover, and 1–7 cm litter depth.

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USGS2022

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Greater Prairie-Chicken ( Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus )

The keys to Greater Prairie-Chicken ( Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus ) management are maintaining expansive grasslands; preventing populations of Greater Prairie-Chickens from becoming small and isolated; managing grasslands to maintain proper grassland height, density, and vigor; and reducing woody plant invasion and excessive litter buildup. Within these grasslands, areas should contain short herbaceous cover for lek sites; tall residual grasses for nesting; and disturbed habitats for broods with adequate vegetation regrowth that provides insects for food and cover from predators and weather. This account does not address population or harvest management but rather focuses on habitat management. Greater Prairie-Chickens have been reported to use habitats with 5–113 centimeter (cm) average vegetation height, 5–40 cm visual obstruction reading, 18–95 percent grass cover, 1–35 percent forb cover, <45 percent litter cover, <5 percent shrub cover, 3–25 percent bare ground, and <12 cm litter depth.

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USGS2020

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Lesser Prairie-Chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus )

The key to Lesser Prairie-Chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus ) management is maintaining expansive sand shinnery oak ( Quercus havardii ) or sand sagebrush ( Artemisia filifolia ) grasslands. Within these grasslands, areas should contain short herbaceous cover for lek sites (that is, an area where male prairie-chickens gather to engage in courtship displays to attract mates); shrubs or tall residual grasses for nesting; and areas with about 25 percent canopy cover of shrubs, forbs, or grasses 25–30 centimeters (cm) tall for brood rearing. Historically, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken was considered a gamebird that was hunted throughout its range. In response to low population levels and considerations related to listing the species as State or Federally threatened, recreational hunting seasons currently are closed throughout the species’ range. This account does not address harvest or its effects on populations but instead focuses on the effects of habitat management. Lesser Prairie-Chickens have been reported to use habitats with less than or equal to (≤) 600 cm average vegetation height (including shrubs), ≤70 cm visual obstruction reading, 4–78 percent grass cover, ≤30 percent forb cover, ≤66 percent shrub cover, 3–61 percent bare ground, 2–58 percent litter cover, and ≤3 cm litter depth.

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USGS2021

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

Keys to Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus ) management include providing open grasslands with sparse-to-moderate herbaceous and litter cover and a woody component and allowing occasional burning or moderate grazing. Lark Sparrows have been reported to use habitats with 10–63 centimeters (cm) average vegetation height, 10–54 percent grass cover, 9–25 percent forb cover, 4–18 percent shrub cover, 16–38 percent bare ground, 12–45 percent litter cover, and less than or equal to 1 cm litter depth.

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USGS2019

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Mountain Plover ( Charadrius montanus )

The key to Mountain Plover ( Charadrius montanus ) management is maintaining sparsely vegetated grasslands. Grasslands can be made suitable for breeding Mountain Plovers by preserving large prairie dog ( Cynomys species) towns, conducting prescribed burns, or implementing heavy grazing in some situations. Mountain Plovers have been reported to use habitats with 2–38 centimeters average vegetation height, 14–87 percent grass cover, 2–14 percent forb cover, 4–55 percent shrub cover, 9–72 percent bare ground, 2 percent litter cover, and 4–6 cm litter depth.

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USGS2020

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Lark Bunting ( Calamospiza melanocorys )

Keys to Lark Bunting ( Calamospiza melanocorys ) management include providing short vegetation with protective nest cover and tailoring grazing systems to the type of grassland. Lark Buntings have been reported to use habitats with 6–72 centimeter (cm) average vegetation height, 2–11 cm visual obstruction reading, 13–71 percent grass cover, less than or equal to (≤) 48 percent forb cover, ≤17 percent shrub cover, 10–57 percent bare ground cover, 25 percent litter cover, and ≤2 cm litter depth.

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USGS2019

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Upland Sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda )

The key to Upland Sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda ) management is providing grasslands of various heights with few shrubs. In general, Upland Sandpipers forage within short vegetation and nest and rear broods within taller vegetation. Upland Sandpipers have been reported to use habitats with less than (<) 93 centimeters (cm) vegetation height, 5–75 cm visual obstruction reading, greater than or equal to 33 percent grass cover, less than or equal to (≤) 50 percent forb cover, ≤13 percent shrub cover, 3–12 percent bare ground, 11–30 percent litter cover, and <13 cm litter depth.

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