Delmarva Ornithological Soc.The tiny state of Delaware, with its vast tidal marshes, is the center of abundance for the Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow (CPSS), an unusual subspecies of the more widespread Swamp Sparrow.
Scientists from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, in cooperation with the Delmarva Ornithological Society, are studying this secretive, rare, and enigmatic bird.
Why study this bird?
- to monitor its vulnerable population, it has a small range and specific habitat requirements
more - to unlock an ornithological mystery, where do they spend the winter? new discovery!
- to discover the unusual adaptations that allow it to inhabit salt marshes more
Painting of the salt marsh by Martin Johnson Heade
©Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
More about Delaware's sparrow:
- Introduction - basic information about Delaware's sparrow
- Adaptations - that allow this bird to inhabit salt marshes
differences - between the subspecies - Distribution - where this bird lives
newly discovered winter range - Habitat- preferred vegetation type
- Identification - how to tell this subspecies from other Swamp sparrows; includes pictures
- Nest ecology - nest site selection and success
- Swamp sparrow survey - monitoring project to determine the population status of the CPSS in Delaware
forms - surveyors can download data forms
maps - surveyors can download point locations
results - summarized from the survey
vegetation id guide - online guide to the vegetation measured on the survey
