Le Conte's Sparrow

Ammodramus leconteii

The Le Conte's Sparrow is often a difficult bird to observe, as it is normally found in the dense vegetation around the edges of marshes or in damp fields.  It also normally forages near the ground below the vegetation, and when disturbed, is more likely to run away or fly low through the vegetation for a short distance.  They are one of the smallest sparrows found in South Dakota.

Habitat: They are found on the fringes of wetlands and marshes or in damp fields during the summer breeding season, wherever very shallow water is found in conjunction with a dense cover of herbaceous vegetation.  They winter in similar wet habitats during the winter.

Diet: Primarily feeds on insects during the summer, and seeds during the winter.

Behavior: Most of its foraging is done on or near the ground, often under cover of dense vegetation.  Males may sing night or day from a perch within tall grass during the summer breeding season.

Nesting: June and July

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map

Song: A weak insect-like hiss.

Migration: Summers in the extreme northern Great Plains and western Great Lakes region, and throughout much of south-central Canada.  Winters in the southeastern United States.

Similar Species: Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow

Conservation Status: Still common in much of its range where habitat remains, but has experienced some declines from habitat loss. 

South Dakota "Hotspot": I've had great luck finding them in many weedy overgrown fields in the Sioux Falls Area in the Fall (especially the last week of September and first week of October), especially those near wetlands.  "Atkins Slough", a wetland area just west of the high school outside of Tea, in Lincoln County, nearly always has many during the fall.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Le Conte's Sparrow

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Le Conte's Sparrow"

3) eNature.com: Le Conte's Sparrow

Photo Information: October 8th, 2005 -- Atkins Slough near Tea, in Lincoln County -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Le Conte's Sparrow photos.