Breeding Habitat:Grassland
Nest Type:Open-cup nesting passerine
Migration Status:Short distance migrant
Nest Location:Ground-low nesting
Sprague's Pipits are closely associated with extensive tracts of mixed-grass prairies throughout the year. This vegetation should be of medium height, as they avoid short-grass and tall-grass communities (Stewart 1975). As a result of habitat loss from overgrazing and the conversion of native grasslands to row crops, Sprague's Pipit populations have experienced marked declines historically and during recent decades in North Dakota (Stewart 1975). Similar trends have probably occurred throughout their breeding range on the northern Great Plains.
Along BBS routes, Sprague's Pipits are most numerous in southern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and adjacent portions of Montana and North Dakota (Relative Abundance Map). They are generally recorded in relatively small numbers elsewhere on the northern Great Plains. All significant trends from BBS data are declines including the 1966-1994 estimates for Alberta, Saskatchewan, two physiographic strata, the Western BBS Region, Canada, and survey-wide (Trend List). During 1966-1979, most trend estimates are in a negative direction, including significant declines in North Dakota, the Drift Prairie (S37) stratum, Central and Western BBS regions, Canada, and survey- wide. Non-significant increases and declines occur after 1980. The trend map shows increasing trends in portions of Montana and Saskatchewan, but declining trends elsewhere (Trend Map). The survey-wide indices indicate a generally declining population, although these indices are variable and several brief periods of increases are evident (Survey-wide Annual Indices). Indices in Alberta and Saskatchewan are similar to the survey-wide indices (Alberta Annual Indices) (Saskatchewan Annual Indices). In the Central BBS Region, declines are evident through the late 1970s but are followed by a partial recovery, reflecting similar trends in Montana and North Dakota (Central BBS Region Annual Indices) (Montana Annual Indices) (North Dakota Annual Indices).
During winter, this species is a secretive occupant of relatively undisturbed grassland habitats of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico. It is recorded in small numbers on CBCs, reflecting the difficulty in locating this species within its preferred habitats. These limited data do not provide meaningful trend estimates for wintering Sprague's Pipit populations.
Stewart, R.E. 1975. Breeding birds of North Dakota. Harrison
Smith, Lund Press, Minneapolis, MN. 295 pp.