Habitat
Well-drained grasslands, with sparse to intermediate grass densities, moderate litter depths, few visual obstructions and little woody vegetation. On migration, it also occurs in stubble and fallow fields.
Breeds in southern Canada (central and south-eastern Alberta, central and southern Saskatchewan, south-western Manitoba) and northern USA (northern and central Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, north-western Minnesota). Winters from southern USA south to central Mexico.
Population
Estimated population is 870,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction through conversion of prairie to seeded pasture, hayfields and cropland, and inappropriate grazing, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Song given in arcing flight, call a loud 'tweep' often given in pairs. American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) gives high disyllabic 'chip-it' or 'tsee-tseet' call.
Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) [XC186341]
by Hal Mitchell from Grasslands National Park of Canada (near Val Marie), Division No. 4, Saskatchewan, Canada (flight song)
Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) [XC186342]
by Richard E. Webster from Grasslands National Park of Canada (near Val Marie), Division No. 4, Saskatchewan, Canada (flight song)
Similar Species
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) which is less streaked (uniform grey above in spring), has dark legs, streaked flanks and closed-faced appearance.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet