More than 60 species of birds rely on grasslands in Virginia throughout the year. Some are entirely dependent on our grasslands for nesting. Others will briefly stop at our fields to rest and refuel before continuing a northward migration in the spring and southward migration in the Fall. And others will shift down from northern climates to winter in our grasslands, where they seek shelter and food during many of the colder months of the year.
Here we have compiled a list of bird species that commonly interact with grassland habitats in Virginia, grouping them by major characteristics that they share, including nesting strategy, foraging behaviors and annual movement. We have simplified the list in a way that only lists each species once — to emphasize its most obvious characteristics — even though some birds could be listed across multiple categories. Ultimately, the goal of this list is to showcase the breadth and diversity of species that depend on grasslands in Virginia for at least one critical element of their annual life cycle.
No matter how or when birds are using grasslands, the common link is this — if grasslands continue to diminish in size or quality, or if their management adversely changes, all of these birds will feel the impact. Most grassland birds cannot shift to alternative habitats, so reversing the declines of these at-risk grassland bird species is directly tied to how we value and manage the state of our grassland ecosystems and working landscapes.
Click on the title to see the lists
Obligate grassland-nesting species
Only nest in grasslands, including livestock pastures, hayfields, & fallow fields
Horned Lark
Eastern Meadowlark
Grasshopper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Bobolink
Facultative grassland-nesting species
Occasionally nest in grasslands depending on local circumstances
Northern Bobwhite
Song Sparrow
Wild Turkey
Loggerhead Shrike
Field Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
Blue Grosbeak
Overwintering Species and Migrants
Birds that utilize grasslands during winter and migration seasons
Northern Harrier (rare breeder in VA)
American Tree Sparrow
Short-eared Owl (rare breeder in VA)
American Pipit
Lapland Longspur
Dark-eyed Junco
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Grassland foragers
Nest in other habitats—including cavities in dead snags, shrubs, wetlands, and forests—but commonly forage in and over grasslands.
Canada Goose
Eastern Kingbird
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Killdeer
American Woodcock
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Barn Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orchard Oriole
Brown-headed Cowbird
Yellow-breasted Chat
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Rare breeders
Nest in grasslands but rarely observed in Virginia
Upland Sandpiper
Vesper Sparrow
Henslow’s Sparrow
Dickcissel