Caitlin Moy, Thomas P. Hughes School
Union County
Savannah sparrow. Union County. Caitlin Moy
Savannah Sparrow
Put yourself in my shoes, and find out what it's like to have your home taken away. Actually, put yourself in my feathers. I'm a Passerculus sandwichensis, but I prefer to be called a savannah sparrow. There are a few things you should know about my species. We are 4.3-5.9 in (11-15 cm) long, our wingspan is 7.9-8.7 in (20-22cm), and we weigh 0.5-1.0 oz (15-28 grams). We eat insects, insect larvae, small arthropods, and seeds. We lay 3-6 eggs in cup nests sheltered by vegetation, such as a clump of grass. Also, we are threatened!
From the 1600s to the 1800s many people colonized the Northeast. Forests were cleared so crops could be grown. These cleared areas became homes for savannah sparrows. Later, the farmers went west because the rocky soil in the Northeast was not ideal for farming. The farms were abandoned and turned into forests again. This means the number of savannah sparrows that were living there, declined. Also, the farms that remained, changed - everybody started using pesticides. The pesticides made our homes unlivable. In 1979 savannah sparrows, like me, were listed as "threatened" because of habitat loss.
In case you're wondering, I am a tiny songbird that has wonderful brown streaks, and a stunning yellow stripe near my eye. And while I'm at it, my tail is brown and notched, and my chest is white. My legs are pinkish. Keep an eye out for me and listen to my high-pitched songs!
To sum it up, the number of savannah sparrows is low because we are losing our habitat! Many people in New Jersey have created beneficial wildlife habitats on their properties for us. Why don't you spread the word! Maybe, we can chat later, but right now let's focus on saving all savannah sparrows!
Written by: Caitlin Moy
Thomas P. Hughes School, Berkeley Heights
Teacher: Mrs. Massa