Critter of the Month

Critter of the Month -

AUGUST

HENSLOW'S SPARROW

The Henslow's Sparrow is secretive by nature and makes it's song an extremely important tool for finding this shy grassland bird.

The species can be found in Tennessee from mid-April until late October. It is a relatively small sparrow with a large head and short tail. Breeding habitat includes large, flat, overgrown fields with scattered low shrubs or saplings.

Diet is mostly grasshoppers and beetles.

The Henslow's is a rare migrant and recent breeding bird in Tennessee. It is a species of highest concern in Tennessee as grasslands continue to disappear due to developement.

John James Audubon first discovered this bird in Kentucky in 1831 and named it honor of John Stevens Henslow, a British botantist, clergyman and mentor.