Interesting facts:
The female Grasshopper Sparrow incubates its eggs in the nest for 12 days. Meanwhile, the male protects their territory of 2-3 acres by singing from his position on a post, tall grass or other perch. Nine days after the young hatch, they leave the nest, which is on the ground under shrubs and grass.

Description:
Both sexes of Grasshopper Sparrow have a similar plain brown body. They measure 4 1/2 to 5 inches long with a short tail and flat-topped head. They have yellow eyebrows and a yellow line at the curve of the wings.

Habitat and behavior:
Open grasslands, including hayfields, golf courses, and airports, as well as prairies, are homes for Grasshopper Sparrows. They inhabit Illinois from mid-April to early October and spend the winter in the southern United States and Central America.

Food:
Grasshopper Sparrows, living up to their names, eat insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and cockroaches. A small portion of their diet is seeds.

Status:
The Grasshopper Sparrow is a common migrant in Illinois. Hay fields and other habitats are decreasing, making this sparrow a declining species. New housing developments have destroyed its habitat. The mowing of grasslands early in the spring destroys nests.