U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S.F.W.S. to Conduct Status Review of the Sprague's pipit
Songbird's range includes northwestern Minnesota
The Sprague's pipit, a prairie songbird, may warrant federal protection as a threatened or endangered species, the U.S.F.W.S. announced today, following an initial review of a petition seeking to protect the bird under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Service will undertake a more thorough review of the Sprague's pipit to determine whether to propose adding the species to the federal list of threatened and endangered wildlife and plants.
Today's decision, known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific information about the Sprague's pipit provided in the petition asking the Service to list the species under the ESA. The petition finding does not mean that the Service has decided it is appropriate to give the Sprague's pipit federal protection under the ESA. Rather, this finding is the 1st step in a process that triggers a more thorough review of all the biological information available.
To ensure this review is comprehensive, the Service is soliciting information from state and federal natural resource agencies and all interested parties regarding the Sprague's pipit and its habitat.
The Service is seeking information regarding the species' historical and current status and distribution; its population size and trend; its biology and ecology; its taxonomy; ongoing conservation measures for the species and its habitat; and threats to the long-term persistence of the species.
If it is determined that listing the Sprague's pipit is warranted, the Service intends to propose critical habitat. Therefore, the Service also requests data and information on what may constitute physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species, where these features are currently found, and whether any of these features may require special management considerations or protection. In addition, the Service requests information regarding whether there are areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species that are essential to the conservation of the species.
Comments and information will be accepted until February 1, 2010, and can be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov, or can be mailed or hand delivered to Public Comments Processing, Division of Policy and Directives Management; Attn: FWS-R6-ES-2009-0081; U.S.F.W.S., 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, Virginia 22203.
The Service will evaluate all information regarding the status and distribution of the Sprague's pipit, including the impacts or potential impacts to the species resulting from either human activities or natural causes.
The Sprague's pipit is closely tied with native prairie habitat and breeds in the north-central U.S. in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota as well as south-central Canada. Wintering occurs in the southern states of Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico.
In October 2008, WildEarth Guardians petitioned the Service to list the Sprague's pipit as threatened or endangered under the ESA.
The petitioners assert that several factors affect the Sprague's pipit and its habitat including the loss of native prairie throughout the Northern Great Plains as a result of agricultural conversion; oil and gas exploration; habitat fragmentation; cowbird parasitism; and climate change.
The Sprague's pipit is a relatively small (4-6 inches long, and 0.8-0.9 ounces) songbird native to the North American grasslands. It has a plain buff-colored face with a large eye-ring. The Sprague's pipit is a ground nester that breeds and winters on open grasslands. It feeds mostly on insects and spiders and some seeds.
The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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