Centronyx henslowii
Henslow’s Sparrow
These adorable little birds can be hard to spot. Not only are the small in stature, they tend to stay hidden, down in grassy areas rather than fly to escape predators. You might not hear them either – they have the shortest call of any North American songbird. It is only two syllables and has been described by some as a “weak hiccup.”
Henslow’s sparrows are migratory, spending their winters in the southeastern United States, including the Ogeechee watershed. They enjoy the marshy lowlands with tall grass and pine flatwoods that dot the area. They feed on the insects-like grasshoppers and beetles-that frequent the same habitat as well as seeds.
Adults stand about 4-5 inches tall and weigh just about half and ounce. There are shades of tan with black stripes, but one way to distinguish them from their cousins is a distinctive olive green patch on their faces. They seem to be monogamous, returning to the same location with the same partner in consecutive years.
This spunky, tiny creature was described and named by J. J. Audubon after his friend John Stevens Henslow (Henslow himself was a teacher and close friend of Charles Darwin).
I obtained the bird represented in this plate opposite Cincinnati, in the State of Kentucky, in the year 1820, whilst in the company of Mr. ROBERT BEST, then Curator of the Western Museum. It was on the ground, amongst tall grass, and exhibited the usual habits of its tribe. … In naming it after the Rev. Professor HENSLOW of Cambridge, a gentleman so well known to the scientific world, my object has been to manifest my gratitude for the many kind attentions which he has shewn towards me. – Plate 70, J.J. Aububon
Henslow’s sparrow faces significant habitat loss, but is not listed as a endangered species, despite it being submitted in 1984. Georgia DNR lists it as “SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” Both the midwest prairies that provide breeding grounds and the lowlands that form its winter home are disappearing rapidly. The bird has managed to adapt to some kinds of row crops, like hayfields, but other agricultural and lumbering practices can make things difficult for the bird to find a quiet place to nest and feed. Georgia DNR is also finding some success with managed mowing and prescribed burning practices.
