Grasshopper Sparrow,Ammodramus savannarum.
April 20 to August 3; status unclear in late summer and fall. Regular spring migrant
and local summer resident in small numbers. Inhabits large, open fields with a modest
and relatively sparse cover of grasses (not fescue or similar dense forage
grasses). Especially associated with airports where suitable grasslands are
maintained at low heights. In recent years it has been found on the Baker
Prairie near Harrison, at the Fayetteville airport, at Smith Field near Siloam
Springs and in pastures on the University of Arkansas farm north of Savoy in
Washington County.
Harris' Sparrow,Zonotrichia querula.
October 19 to May 5. Uncommon but regular migrant and winter resident, usually in
small numbers. It is often found on the Fayetteville Christmas Bird Count. A peak
of 29 was reported on the 1971 count, but the highest number since was 16 in 1977.
It utilizes the same habitats as White-crowned Sparrows, and sometimes Harris' is
found with White-crowned. Harris' is also a regular winter visitor to home bird
feeders in rural areas with suitable nearby habitat.
Henslow's Sparrow,Ammodramus henslowii.
A single bird was observed on December 30, 1976, to February 1977 at Mountain Home.
One was found in dense grass at Lake Fayetteville on April 1, 1986. Significant
populations nest at several of the managed public prairies in southwestern Missouri
(Wilson 1984) adjacent to northwest Arkansas.