1. OBSERVATIONS OF PARENTAL BEHAVIORS OF FIELD SPARROWS
(Spizella pusilla)
Cait Kerr1 and Dr. Jennie Carr2
1Department of Environmental Science and Studies, 2Department of Biology
Washington College
Field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) are common grassland birds native to eastern North
America. The birds breed in second-growth scrub and brushy pastures, usually near the
edge of a tree line. Their population is currently in decline, primarily due to habitat loss.
Prior studies have been conducted on the feeding patterns of adult sparrows relative to
their sex and the age of their nestlings. Results of these studies have shown that females
tend to be more attentive to the nestlings than males and older chicks receive food more
frequently. Our research advanced prior knowledge by focusing on nestling feeding
frequency relative to the age of the parents. What made this study unique was that we
were able to determine the age of each parent with greater resolution (up to after sixth-
year birds) than prior studies that only categorized parents as second-year birds or after
second-year birds. This was made possible by the banding practices used at the Chester
River Field Research Center, which began in 1999. Through locating nests in the field,
identifying the parents by their unique, color-coded leg bands, and subsequently
recording the activity at each nest site, we were able to observe feeding patterns of
parents of varied ages with chicks at various stages of development, throughout the
majority of their breeding season. In agreement with prior studies, our data showed a
positive correlation between feeding frequency and nestling age. Our results also
suggested a tendency for older males and females to be mated pairs. A positive
correlation between feeding frequency and number of nestlings was suggested as well.
Upon the conclusion of our study, we will also be able to see the direct affect that age has
upon feeding behaviors. Research on field sparrows and their behaviors could potentially
allow for better management practices, which would help to maintain their populations.