CAPE SABLE SPARROW Ammospiza mirabilis (Howell) 



Ordc • PASSERIFORMES Family: FRINGILLIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Dull colored, olive- gray sparrow, smaller than house 

 sparrow, with a short yellow line before the eyes, and white streak along the jaw. 

 Greener above and whiter below than the more common seaside sparrows . 



Present distribution : Resident in a few scattered populations in fresh and brackish 

 water marshes of southwestern Florida from Ochopee south to Cape Sable. 



Former distribution : Same as present . 



Status : Very uncommon with constantly changing population in a restricted range. 

 Habitat is brackish marsh of salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina bakeri ) between mangrove 

 belt and fresh water Everglades sawgrass . 



Estimated numbers : Less than 1,000. Perhaps less than 500. Werner (1970) located a 

 minimum of 27 individuals in the Ochopee-Turner River area and 11 at Cape Sable. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Three or four eggs laid per set, number of bi-oods unknown. 

 Adult to juvenile ratios; 6 to 5 at Cape Sable; 13 to 2 at Ochopee (Werner 1970). 



Reasons for decline : Limited habitat which is very unstable as a result of fire, draught, 

 hurricanes, and encroachment of mangroves on marsh grass. Real estate development 

 now encroaching on range outside Everglades National Park at Ochopee. 



Protective measures already taken : Protection is afforded by the Everglades National 

 Park. Complete protection by Florida and Federal law. Study of present distribution 

 and limiting factors was begun in 1970 by Harold W. Werner, graduate student at 

 University of South Florida. 



Measures proposed : Continue research on the distribution and ecology of the species . 

 Acquire habitat outside of park. Manage habitat to create conditions found by study to 

 be optimum for species . 



Number in captivity : None 



Breeding potential in captivity : Good . 



References : 



Robertson, W. B. Everglades National Park, P.O. Box 299, Homestead, Florida. 

 Stimpson, L. A. 1956. Auk, 73: 489-502 . Also in Bent's life histories of North 



American birds . 

 Sykes, P. Administrative reports, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. 

 Werner, H. W. 1970. (in lit.) 



. 1971. Cape Sable sparrows rediscovered on Cape Sable. Auk 88:432. 



197 



