Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: SPARROW, BACHMAN'S

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: PASSERIFORMES

Family: PASSERILLIDAE

Genus: PEUCAEA

Species: AESTIVALIS

SubSpecies: ILLINOENSIS

Taxonomic Authority: (RIDGWAY)

Taxonomy References: 001 , 033 , 032

Status

NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G3

Status References: 005 , 008 , 026 , 031

Habitat Summary

"Inhabits glades, open pinewoods, early successional stage old fields and oak-hickory or shortleaf pine regeneration with canopy cover less than 30%. Bare ground and well-developed herbaceous layer are important."

Primary Habitat: "Glade complex"

References: 008 , 011 , 013

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Rare summer resident in southern half of Missouri *02*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY ADAIR
BUTLER ANDREW
CRAWFORD ATCHISON
DENT AUDRAIN
DOUGLAS BARTON
FRANKLIN BATES
GREENE BENTON
HOWELL BOLLINGER
IRON BOONE
MADISON BUCHANAN
MARIES CALDWELL
MORGAN CALLAWAY
OREGON CAMDEN
OZARK CAPE GIRARDEAU
PHELPS CARROLL
PULASKI CARTER
RIPLEY CASS
ST. CHARLES CEDAR
ST. LOUIS CHARITON
TANEY CHRISTIAN
TEXAS CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DUNKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OSAGE
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 002 , 003 , 008 , 009 , 015 , 016 , 017 , 020 , 022 , 025

Distribution by Watersheds

Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
Area Bordered by Black R. and St. Francis R. South of Quintan, MO
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Lamine R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Fourche Creek
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Shortleaf Pine Reproduction (0-3" dbh)
Mature Shortleaf Pine (open understory)
Limestone Glade
Mature Shortleaf Pine (dense understory)
Shrub-Grass
Fruiting Tree-Shrub
Savanna (Grass-Shrub)
Oak-Hickory Regeneration (0-3 years)

References for Habitat Types: 006

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Savanna
Dry Savanna
Dry-Mesic Savanna
Mesic Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Igneous Savanna
Primary
Glade
Limestone Glade
Dolomite Glade
Chert Glade
Sandstone Glade
Shale Glade
Igneous Glade

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 011 , 013 , 014 , 006

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 012

Adult Food Habits

Lepidoptera (butterflies); Larva stage
Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale insects); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Diplopods (millipedes); Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 012 , 013

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: hills
Natural features: upper 1/3 of slope
Natural features: middle 1/3 of slope
Natural features: ridges
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Soil depth specified in comments(00320)
Slope specified in comments(00330)
Aspect specified in comments(00340)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Number and size of clearings specified in comments(00380)
Foliage density 0-1 M from ground specified in comments(00601)
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)
Shrubs
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 011 , 013 , 014 , 019 , 027

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: hills
Natural features: upper 1/3 of slope
Natural features: middle 1/3 of slope
Natural features: ridges
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Soil depth specified in comments(00320)
Slope specified in comments(00330)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)
Shrubs

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 011 , 013 , 014 , 029

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: hills
Natural features: upper 1/3 of slope
Natural features: middle 1/3 of slope
Natural features: ridges
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Soil depth specified in comments(00320)
Slope specified in comments(00330)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)
Shrubs

References for resting adult niche requirements: 011 , 013 , 014

Niche Requirement Summary

Aspect specified in comments(00340)
Foliage density 0-1 M from ground specified in comments(00601)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Natural features: hills
Natural features: middle 1/3 of slope
Natural features: ridges
Natural features: upper 1/3 of slope
Number and size of clearings specified in comments(00380)
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Shrubs
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)
Slope specified in comments(00330)
Soil depth specified in comments(00320)
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Successional stage: abandoned field

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Feed by searching ground among grasses *12*
007 In AR, breeding season 17 April-26 August *21*
008 One case of polygyny noted in AR study *21*
010 Often sing in relatively bare areas of dirt or rock, and/or from woody vegetation *14*
011 Nest on ground in open, or beneath tree or shrub *10,13,21* often build near grass clump *13,21,14*
016 Inside diameter: 2.5", depth:2" *10*
017 Incubation:13-14 days *10,21*'
013 In AR, 18% of banded adults returned to the tract where they nested or defended a territory the previous year *21*
018 In AR, clutches laid during the 1st half of the breeding season (average 4.1) were significantly larger than those laid during the second half (average 3.7), overall clutch size 2-5, average 4 *21*
019 General references indicate 2 broods/year *10,13,11*
022 Delayed singing of some males on south MO study area indicated that yearlings reached maturity late in 1st season *14*
021 Male cares for first brood's fledglings while female starts second brood *21*
027 In south MO, average territory size 0.62 ha, range:0.3-1.3 ha *14*
033 In south MO, 1976, first migrants noted apr. 3, had migrated by sept 25 *14*
035 R, predation was a major cause of nest failure *21*
099 In AR study, average nestling period 9 days, average fledgling period 25 days. Each pair produced an average of 3 fledglings/year. *21*.

Life History Information

Territory size specified in comments(027)
Migration patterns specified in comments(033)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: spring/summer/fall
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system: monogamy
Mating system specified in comments(008)
Display site specified in comments(010)
Nest/den site: on the ground
Nest/den site: grass
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest/den/spawning site tenacity specified in comments(013)
Nest materials: grasses
Nest materials: forbs
Nest materials: hair or feathers
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: two
Number of broods/litters per year specified in comments(019)
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: both parents
Parental care of young specified in comments(021)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Territoriality: defends breeding and nesting territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Feed by searching ground among grasses *12*
007 In AR, breeding season 17 April-26 August *21*
008 One case of polygyny noted in AR study *21*
010 Often sing in relatively bare areas of dirt or rock, and/or from woody vegetation *14*
011 Nest on ground in open, or beneath tree or shrub *10,13,21* often build near grass clump *13,21,14*
016 Inside diameter: 2.5", depth:2" *10*
017 Incubation:13-14 days *10,21*'
013 In AR, 18% of banded adults returned to the tract where they nested or defended a territory the previous year *21*
018 In AR, clutches laid during the 1st half of the breeding season (average 4.1) were significantly larger than those laid during the second half (average 3.7), overall clutch size 2-5, average 4 *21*
019 General references indicate 2 broods/year *10,13,11*
022 Delayed singing of some males on south MO study area indicated that yearlings reached maturity late in 1st season *14*
021 Male cares for first brood's fledglings while female starts second brood *21*
027 In south MO, average territory size 0.62 ha, range:0.3-1.3 ha *14*
033 In south MO, 1976, first migrants noted apr. 3, had migrated by sept 25 *14*
035 R, predation was a major cause of nest failure *21*
099 In AR study, average nestling period 9 days, average fledgling period 25 days. Each pair produced an average of 3 fledglings/year. *21*.

References for life history: 003 , 010 , 011 , 012 , 013 , 014 , 019 , 021

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Shrub/brush - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Shrub/brush - control grazing of domestic livestock
Shrub/brush - prescribed/controlled burning
Barren land - maintain glades
Forest - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Forest - prescribed/controlled burning
Forest - maintain habitat diversity
Forest - reforestation

Beneficial Management References: 003 , 004 , 014 , 027 , 028 , 030

Adverse Managment Practices:

Shrub/brush - application of pesticides
Shrub/brush - application of insecticides
Shrub/brush - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock

Adverse Management References: 003 , 004 , 014

Comments on Management:
Burning shouldn't take place late may-July *14*. Controlled burning or grazing beneficial when woody cover approaches 33% *14*. An AR study determined that pine stands that are thinned and periodically burned can provide suitable habitat *27*. In GA, were considerably more abundant in mature pine forest that had been burned, than in unburned forest *28*. In FL, occurred in pine forest that was burned annually, disappeared from unburned plots within 5 years after fire was discontinued *30*.

References for Management Comments: 014 , 027 , 028 , 030

References

Reference Code Citation
001 American Ornithologists Union. 1998. Check-List Of North American Birds, 7th Ed. American Orn. Union, Washington, D.C. 829 Pp.
002 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
003 Unpb Rathert, Jim. Mo Dept Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201. (573)882-9880.
004 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
005 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
006 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
007 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
008 Rare And Endangered Species Checklist Of Missouri. 1997. MO Dept. Of Conservation. Natural Heritage Database. 33 Pp.
009 Unpb Breeding Bird Survey. J.D. Wilson. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
010 Harrison, H.H. 1975. A Field Guide To Birds Nests In The United States East Of The Mississippi River. Houghton - Mifflin Co., Boston 257 Pp.
011 Brooks, M. 1938. Bachman's Sparrow In The North-Central Portion Of Its Range. Wilson Bull. 50:86-109.
012 Allaire, P.N. and C.D. Fisher. 1975. Feeding Ecology Of Three Resident Sympatric Sparrows In Eastern Texas. Auk 92:260-269.
013 Weston, F.M. 1968. Bachman's Sparrow. Pages 956-975 In A.C. Bent. Life Histories Of North American Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings, Towhees, Finches And Their Allies. Us Natl. Mus. Bull. 237. 188pp.
014 Unpb Hardin, K.I. 1977. Status And Habitat Preferences Of The Bachman's Sparrow On Southern Missouri Glades. M.S. Thesis. University Of Missouri, Columbia. 111pp. (112 Stephens Hall, (573) 882-3436).
015 Kleen, V.M. 1976. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 30(3):724-728.
016 Kleen, V.M. 1975. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 29(4):858-862.
017 Dawson, R. 1969. Notes On Annual Meeting. Bluebird 36(1) (Pages Not Numbered).
018 Comfort, J.F. 1975. A Checklist Of The Birds Of The August A. Busch Memorial Wildlife Area. Mo Dept Conserv and Webster Groves Nature Study Soc.
019 Hardin, K.I., T.S. Baskett, and K.E. Evans. 1982. Habitat Of Bachman's Sparrow On Missouri Glades. Wilson Bull. 94:208-212.
020 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
021 Haggerty, T.M. 1988. Aspects Of The Breeding Biology And Productivity Of Bachman's Sparrow In Central Arkansas. Wilson Bull. 100(2):247-255.
022 Unpb Wilson, J.D. and B. Jacobs. 1988. The Distribution And Breeding Status Of The Birds Of Missouri (Preliminary Report). Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
023 Johnson, D.H. and L.D. Igl. 1995. Contributions Of The Conservation Reserve Program To Populations Of Breeding Birds In North Dakota. Wilson Bull. 107(4):709-718.
024 Hunter, W.C., A.J. Mueller and C.L. Hardy. 1994. Managing For Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers And Neotropical Migrants - Is There A Conflict? Proc. Ann. Conf. Southeast Assoc. Fish Wildl. Agencies 48:383-394.
025 Jacobs, B. and J.D. Wilson. 1997. Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986-1992. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural History Series No. 6. Jefferson City, Mo. 430 Pp.
026 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
027 Haggerty, T.M. 1998. Vegetation Structure Of Bachman's Sparrow Breeding Habitat And Its Relationship To Home Range. J. Field Ornith. 69(1):45-50.
028 White, D.H., B.R. Chapman, J.H. Brunjes,Iv, R.V. Raltovich, Jr., and J.T. Seginak. 1999. Abundance And Reproduction Of Songbirds In Burned And Unburned Pine Forests Of The Georgia Piedmont. J. Field Ornith. 70(3):414-424.
029 Krementz, D.G. and J.S. Christie. 2000. Clearcut Stand Size And Scrub-Successional Bird Assemblages. Auk 117(4):913-924.
030 Engstrom, R.T., R.L. Crawford and W.W. Baker. 1984. Breeding Bird Populations In Relation To Changing Forest Structure Following Fire Exclusion: A 15-Year Study. Wilson Bull. 96(4):437-450.
031 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2011. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. pp. 55.
032 Chesser, R.T., R.C. Banks, F.K. Barker, C.Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, D.F. Stotz and K.Winker. 2010. 51st Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 127(3):726-744.
033 Chesser, R. T., S. M. Billerman, K. J. Burns, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, I. J. Lovette, N. A. Mason, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., D. F. Stotz, and K. Winker. 2020. Check-list of North American Birds (online). American Ornithological Society. http://checklist.aou.org/taxa