Synopsis: Reviews information on grassland bird habitat requirements including a focus on the importance of grassland cover, size of contiguous patches, and other landscape factors. Some species require large blocks of unbroken grassland habitat for nesting. In general, where large blocks of undisturbed grassland occur, grassland birds are able to fulfill most of their requirements during the nesting season. For many bird species, these habitats provide winter and migration cover as well. The more grassland available in an area, particularly in large unbroken blocks, the greater the number of area-sensitive grassland birds the area is able to support. Pastures and crop fields also often provide attractive cover to many grassland birds, although farming practices may impact nests and adults. Habitat value for grassland birds is greatly affected by the condition of the landscape in the area and surrounding land uses. Small, isolated parcels of grasslands in landscapes that are heavily wooded have limited potential to support grassland birds. On the other hand, blocks of grassland habitat that occur within landscapes dominated by open grass cover are much more likely to attract and support grassland birds. Interspersion of various types of grassland can maximize habitat quality for some species.
In order to support an array of grassland-nesting bird species within an area, the report recommends contiguous grassland blocks of at least 500 acres (>200 ha) to provide the greatest potential. However, smaller grassland blocks provide viable habitat patches for many grassland bird species. A general rule may be to maximize the size and interconnectedness of grassland habitat patches available, while conducting management actions that maximize the habitat quality within these habitat patches. A range of recommended grassland and rangeland management practices to maintain or enhance bird habitat are also outlined in the paper, including rotational mowing, prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, nesting cover, food requirements, and interspersion of habitat components, minimum habitat sizes, and hedgerow planting.
