STATUS: Common.
HABITAT: Primarily inhabits extensive areas of grasslands dominated by grasses of medium height. Also inhabits large alkaline meadows and meadow zones of large alkali lakes.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Extensive prairie.
NEST: Constructs nest of grasses in hollows of the ground, and in clumps of grasses or grasslike plants.
FOOD: In summer, mostly eats insects and weed seeds. In winter, flocks frequently in weed-grown fields, eating weed seeds.
REFERENCES: Bent 1950, Forbush and May 1955, Johnsgard 1979, Terres 1980.