Small bird, big win: Grasshopper sparrow was fighting extinction. It just hit a milestone

Max Chesnes, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·1 min read

One of North America's most endangered birds just reached a positive milestone.

The 501st Florida grasshopper sparrow was released into a wild Central Florida prairie on June 1 from White Oak Conservation, a 17,000-acre wildlife haven in Yulee, Florida.

“Along with other important conservation measures such as habitat management and nest protection, the conservation-recovery and release program has had a clear positive impact on the Florida grasshopper sparrow population at the release site,” Juan Oteyza, lead sparrow research scientist at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, wrote in a prepared statement.

Invasive species: Florida man traps over 100 invasive tegu lizards

TCPalm investigation: Data proves Florida pollution prevention not working

Below: Contributed photos by National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. 

Habitat loss, among other factors, have driven grasshopper sparrows close to extinction. Surveys completed in 2012 showed the lowest number of male birds ever detected on public lands: Just 75 on only three properties, according to FWC.

But there is hope: The first captive-bred sparrow releases into the wild took place in May 2019, and since then, biologists have recorded an 84% increase in the sparrow population at the original release site, according to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

The foundation has allocated over $2.3 million to grasshopper sparrow conservation efforts, including proceeds from the "Conserve Wildlife" specialty license plate, according to spokesperson Michelle Ashton.

“We are incredibly happy with these results, but Florida grasshopper sparrows are still critically endangered and therefore we must stay committed to our conservation efforts to create a more resilient population," Oteyza said.

One of North America's most endangered birds just reached a positively historic milestone: The 501st grasshopper sparrow was released into the wild central Florida prairie on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from White Oak Conservation, a 17,000-acre wildlife haven in Yulee, Florida. “Along with other important conservation measures such as habitat management and nest protection, the conservation-recovery and release program has had a clear positive impact on the Florida grasshopper sparrow population at the release site,” said Juan Oteyza, lead sparrow research scientist at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Habitat loss, among other factors, have driven sparrows close to extinction. The first releases took place in May 2019, and between 2019 and 2021, biologists recorded an 84 percent increase in the sparrow population at the original release site. “We are incredibly happy with these results, but Florida grasshopper sparrows are still critically endangered and therefore we must stay committed to our conservation efforts to create a more resilient population," Oteyza said in a prepared statement

Max Chesnes is a TCPalm environment reporter focusing on issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes, email him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com and give him a call at 772-978-2224.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Endangered birds: Florida grasshopper sparrow reaches positive milestone