Tag: Baird's Sparrow

Baird’s Sparrow in Colorado

Baird’s Sparrow is one of the most difficult sparrows to find in Western North America. They are challenging to locate except during the breeding season when territorial males will sometimes sing their musical song from exposed perches. Uncommon breeders in eastern Montana, North Dakota and Southern Canada, Baird’s Sparrows can be found in large areas of native prairie. They prefer expansive fields of tall grass and scattered weeds. These sparrows have declined by 71% since 1966 due in large part to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Baird’s Sparrows were first detected in Colorado during the breeding season in 2015 and since then singing males have been located every year at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and other nearby locations. It wasn’t until 2018 that nesting was confirmed in the state for the first time. This apparently new population of breeding Baird’s Sparrows in Northern Colorado (and also several areas in southern Wyoming) are hundreds of miles south of the previously known breeding range of this species. It is currently not clear why these sparrows have taken up residence in Northern Colorado.

Soapstone Prairie Nature Area
Sunrise at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area as we hike the 3.5 miles into Jack Springs Pasture, the Baird’s Sparrow location. The best chance of finding these birds is early in the morning when the males are most likely singing and the wind is minimal.
Jack Springs Pasture Baird's Sparrow
We arrived at Jack Springs just after 7:00am. The Baird’s hang out in the tall darker green grass. This area is fenced off to protect fragile habitat and is only viewable from the trail. The best way to find them is by listening and scoping from the south gate of Plover Trail.
As soon as we arrived we heard the song of a Baird’s Sparrow. In this recording it sings twice from 0:01-o3 and again from 0:10-12. For comparison you can hear a Grasshopper Sparrow sing from 0:05-07. These birds are very distant so you may need headphones to hear them.
Baird's Sparrow
After hearing the bird sing continually for almost 10 minutes, I finally spotted the Baird’s perched up on a tuft of grass far out in the field. At this distance it is hard to see any field marks even through the scope. You can just barely make out the orange tint of the face.
Baird's Sparrow
Baird’s Sparrow had been a nemesis bird for me. Over the last 2 years I had hiked into Soapstone 3 separate times, including twice during my Big Year, and never located them. Let me tell you the hike out carrying a scope and camera feels so much shorter after finally seeing a Baird’s!
Grasshopper Sparrow
While looking for Baird’s Sparrows we heard and saw numerous Grasshopper Sparrows in the same area. Grasshopper Sparrows are much more common in Colorado and can be found in most of the eastern third of the state.
Lark Bunting
Throughout the morning the most abundant bird was the Lark Bunting, Colorado’s State Bird. This male has a bill full of insects, a sure sign he is feeding fledglings.
Sage Thrasher
Another common bird of the Western Prairie is the Sage Thrasher, the smallest thrasher in North America. They can be found in areas of scattered brush.
Horned Lizard
On the hike out a friendly Horned Lizard was sitting on the path. These small lizards are perfectly adapted to arid and semiarid terrain. When approached Horned Lizards will remain still and rely on camouflage to avoid detection.
Soapstone Prairie Nature Area
What a great hike on the prairie!