the gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) is a species of the gopherus genus native to the southeastern united states .

the gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species .

they are threatened by predation and habitat destruction .

the gopher tortoise is a representative of the genus gopherus , which contains the only tortoises native to north america .

this species of gopher tortoise is the state reptile of georgia and the state tortoise of florida .

gopher tortoise

gopher tortoise council . 2000 . about the gopher tortoise . retrieved august 8 , 2011 , from urltoken
a landowner ' s guide : managing habitat for gopher tortoises contains information and resources for managing gopher tortoise habitat .
. the ecology and management of the gopher tortoise in the southeastern united states .
the gopher tortoise is a keystone species and indicator of longleaf pine ecosystem health .
more than 80 percent of gopher tortoise habitat is in private or corporate ownership .
the gopher tortoise makes its home in the longleaf pine forests of the southeast .
click here to see a closer shot of the mother gopher tortoise covering her eggs and photos of baby gopher tortoises .
gopher tortoise entering its burrow in fort pierce , fl . from : wikimedia commons .
the gopher tortoise is considered a “keystone” species in the areas where it makes its home .
a gopher tortoise makes its way into a burrow . © fwc fish and wildlife research institute
diemer j e . the ecology and management of the gopher tortoise in the united states .
a guide to living with gopher tortoises contains information on the importance of gopher tortoise in florida and what to do if you encounter one .
are you curious about the appearance of this creature ? here are some gopher tortoise photos that you may find useful . check out these gopher tortoise images to know how this particular species look like .
the gopher tortoise has been regulated in florida since 1972 and has been fully protected since 1988 . despite the afforded protection , many gopher tortoise populations in florida continue to decline . the species’ threatened status and the gopher tortoise management plan were approved in november 2007 . the objectives of the management plan are to :
diemer , j . 1986 . the ecology and management of the gopher tortoise in the southeastern united states .
the gopher tortoise : at home in florida ' s forests includes information on how private forest owners can participate in gopher tortoise conservation . florida forests ( spring / summer 2008 ) published by the florida forestry association .
the gopher tortoise , gopherus polphemus . note the large scales on the forefeet that protect the tortoise while burrowing . photo courtesy of k . hill , smithsonian marine station
try doing a search for gopher tortoise on any search engine . you ' ll find lots of interesting sites .
the gopher tortoise is declining throughout its range . some researchers have projected that unless something is done to reverse this decline , this species may soon be found only in protected areas . why is the gopher tortoise in trouble ?
the following coloring sheets were created for the gopher tortoise council and are provided by fwc for download and duplication .
the gopher tortoise , by zander srodes . this children ' s activity book , reprinted by fwc in february 2009 , is an educational activity book that introduces the life history and ecological significance of the gopher tortoise to young audiences .
learn more about gopher tortoises and tortoise habitat so you can teach others . good information sources include the library , zoo , and the gopher tortoise council , and the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission ( website address below ) . .
our overarching goal is to restore robust and viable gopher tortoise populations to suitable habitat at the nonami and avalon plantations .
the gopher tortoise is the only land tortoise native to the southeast , living in longleaf pine savannahs of louisiana , mississippi , alabama , florida , georgia and south carolina . the gopher tortoise dwells in pine forests with deep , well drained soils and an open understory that provides food and nesting sites .
the gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species , and an indicator of longleaf pine ecosystem health . gopher tortoise requires deep , well drained soils and an open understory that provides open sunny sites for nesting . its burrows provide vital habitat and shelter for many endangered species . in addition , gopher tortoise serves as vector for seed dispersal , helping to maintain biological diversity . the effects of habitat destruction , degradation , and human predation have greatly reduced the gopher tortoise population to the point where gopher tortoise is listed as a threatened species under the endangered species act throughout the western part of its range .
the venerable , distinctive gopher tortoise continues to hold on , even as habitat constantly decreases . ( photo by bob kornegay )
adult burrow of the gopher tortoise . gopher tortoises inhabit sandy , dry areas such as occur in this upland sand pine forest . photo courtesy of k . hill , smithsonian marine station .
(
gopher tortoise management plan
, 2012 ; burke , et al . , 1996 ; ernst and lovich , 2009 )
the gopher tortoise is one of the most widely studied tortoises in the world . as such its dietary preferences are well known .
the original gopher tortoise management plan ( 2007 ) was approved in september 2007 . it is provided here for reference purposes only .
this issue will be discussed at the upcoming gopher tortoise council annual meeting oct . 16 - 18 in albany , mcguire said .
hoa rules permitting , you can landscape for gopher tortoises . grow native plants that provide food for gopher tortoises . they like a variety of plants such as prickly pear , gopher apple , wild grape , blackberry , blueberry , and broadleaf grasses . this guide to gopher tortoise - friendly plants has more information .
upper respiratory tract disease ( urtd ) has been observed in a number of tortoise species ( 15 , 16 , 19 ) , including the desert tortoise ( gopherus agassizii ) and the gopher tortoise . clinical signs of urtd have been observed in a number of imported captive tortoise species ( 19 ) and in tortoises submitted to the veterinary medical teaching hospital ( vmth ) , university of florida ( uf ) , including the red - footed tortoise ( geochelone carbonaria ) , leopard tortoise ( geochelone pardalis ) , indian star tortoise ( geochelone elegans ) , and radiated tortoise ( geochelone radiata ) . numerous wild and captive gopher tortoises have been submitted to vmth with clinical signs consistent with urtd .
grant opportunities are posted to the gopher tortoise council ' s website frequently . please check back for future opportunities as they are available .
gopher tortoises are ancient : their ancestors are a species of land tortoise that originated in western north america some 60 million years ago . they are members of the class reptilia , order testudines , and family testudinidae . of five north american tortoise species ( genusgopherus ) , the gopher tortoise is the only one that occurs east of the mississippi river .
, it was determined that the level of gopher tortoise population in a specific area was directly related to the amount of available edge habitat .
if you see a gopher tortoise on the road , pick it up and move it out of the road in the direction the tortoise was moving . do not take it with you or move it somewhere else .
gopher tortoise density and movements are affected by availability of forbs and grasses . home range is inversely related to the amount of herbaceous grass cover . as the principal sandhill grazer , the gopher tortoise feeds primarily on grasses , succulent plants and legumes . legumes appear to be particularly important in the diet of juveniles . the gopher tortoise serves as a seed dispersal agent for native grasses and returns leached nutrients to the surface during burrow construction .
in florida , the gopher tortoise is listed as threatened . both the tortoise and its burrow are protected under state law . gopher tortoises must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place , and property owners must obtain permits from the fwc before capturing and relocating tortoises . applications for permits are available on the fwc gopher tortoise online permitting site . online applications are preferred to facilitate a faster review process . before applying for a permit , please review the gopher tortoise permitting guidelines or visit the individual permit webpages by following the links on the left side of your computer screen .
for answers to specific gopher tortoise questions , refer to our frequently asked questions . to view relocation permits , find an authorized gopher tortoise agent , or find a recipient site , access our online locator map . if you require additional assistance , please contact the fwc regional conservation biologist nearest you .
few area outdoorsmen do not know the gopher tortoise . for untold decades our paths have intermittently crossed that of this only terrestrial tortoise east of the mississippi river . not many years ago , these chance meetings were not uncommon . today , however , gopher sightings are becoming fewer and farther between .
embed this arkive thumbnail link (
portlet
) by copying and pasting the code below . < a href =
urltoken
title =
arkive species - gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus )
> < img src =
urltoken
alt =
arkive species - gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus )
title =
arkive species - gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus )
border =
0
/ > < / a >
this species should never be mixed with any other species of turtle or tortoise .
interested in conserving gopher tortoise habitat ? usda’s natural resource conservation service ( nrcs ) offers technical and financial assistance . for more information , check out the nrcs gopher tortoise webpage or contact your local usda service center or county extension office . fwc’s landowner assistance program may also provide cost - share opportunities .
the pine ecosystem conservation handbook for the gopher tortoise in florida is part of an initiative of the american forest foundation ' s center for conservation solutions that brings together conservation partners and family forest owners to conserve and create forest habitat for the gopher tortoise and other declining wildlife of the southern pine forest .
gopher tortoises help maintain diverse natural communities . most people enjoy seeing tortoises , and they may be considered a tourist attraction . they were sometimes collected for the pet trade , though in florida it is now illegal to possess or sell a gopher tortoise without a proper license . in the past , in northern florida , rural communities captured gopher tortoises and used them as a source of food ( gopher tortoise management plan 2012 ; innes 2009 ) .
nrcs offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural producers voluntarily conserve gopher tortoise habitat on private lands . this assistance helps producers plan and implement a variety of conservation activities , or practices , that benefit the tortoise and support forestry operations .
habitat destruction is a significant threat to gopher tortoises . threats to the gopher tortoise also include habitat fragmentation and degradation , predation , inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms , and incompatible use of herbicides in forest management and some silvicultural activities .
gopher tortoises lay eggs usually only once a year and have five to eight eggs in a nest . gopher tortoise eggs hatch between 60 to 90 days at 88 degrees fahrenheit . young gopher tortoises grow fast when fed a good diet . gopher tortoises become sub - adult in about six years and adult at 8 years for males and 17 to 20 years for females .
u . s . fish and wildlife service . 1987 . final rule : threatened status for the gopher tortoise . 50 cfr , 52 ( 129 ) .
an amazing trait of the gopher tortoise is that it shares its burrow with more than 350 other species , including burrowing owls , florida mice , indigo snakes , opossums , rabbits , gopher frog , eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and gopher crickets . for this reason it is called a keystone species , so named because the upper stone in an arch , the keystone , supports the other stones to hold them in place . animals which utilize the gopher tortoise burrows are known as commensal species . since many commensal species depend on the burrows for survival , decreases in gopher tortoise populations result in a decline of other species .
is credited with naming this tortoise after the cave - dwelling cyclops of homer’s odyssey .
2013 .
gopher tortoise : gopherus polyphemus
( on - line ) . florida fish and wildlife conservation commission . accessed november 29 , 2013 at urltoken .
it is unlawful to touch , harm , harass or collect a wild gopher tortoise . if you come upon one in the wild do not pick it up .
conserving the gopher tortoise also benefits eglin afb operations : increasing population numbers decreases the species’ need for federal regulations that could ultimately restrict base activities and land use .
diemer , j . 1986 . the ecology and management of the gopher tortoise in the southeastern united states . herpetologica 42 ( 1 ) : 125 - 133 .
the gopher tortoise is protected as a state - designated threatened species by florida’s endangered and threatened species rule . gopher tortoises must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place , and property owners must obtain permits from fwc before they can move them . the u . s . fish & wildlife service lists the gopher tortoise as a candidate species for protection under the federal endangered species act .
the gopher tortoise is classified as vulnerable ( vu ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) , and is listed on appendix ii of cites ( 3 ) .
you may qualify to serve as a gopher tortoise recipient site for tortoises that have to be relocated . there is financial incentive for receiving tortoises . more information here .
working lands for wildlife will assist landowners voluntarily create , restore or enhance gopher tortoise habitat , increasing habitat connectivity , and support potential down - listing of the species .
ecology and habitat protection needs of gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) populations found on lands slated for large - scale development in florida . technical report no . 4 .
if you find a dead tortoise , report it here . do not take any remains .
the gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) , unlike many other varieties of tortoises , is an avid digger . these sizable reptiles are known as
gopher
tortoises thanks to their burrowing habits . gopher tortoises are found in the united states ' southeastern region , including mississippi , florida , alabama , south carolina , louisiana and georgia .
gopher tortoises are cold sensitive ( auffenberg and franz 1982 ; diemer 1986 ) .
outcome of transmission study to determine pathogenicity of m . agassizii in gopher tortoises a
diemer , j . e . 1986 . the ecology and management of the gopher tortoise in the southeastern united states . herpetologica . 42 ( 1 ) : 125 - 133 .
the gopher tortoise prefers dry landscapes such as sandy ridges and sand dunes , as well as the forests of longleaf pine ( pinus palustris ) ( 2 ) ( 4 ) .
gopher tortoise eggs are fertilized internally and a single clutch is laid by a female each season . on average , a clutch has six eggs , though clutch size ranges from five to nine eggs . incubation period ranges from 80 to 100 days , and depends on the latitude ( and temperature trends ) at which a nest is located . nests located further south tend to have shorter incubation periods ( gopher tortoise management plan , 2012 ) . gopher tortoises exhibit temperature dependent sex determination and have an unusually low pivotal temperature of about 29 degrees c ( burke et al . 1996 ) . nest and hatchling predation is very high . those juvenile gopher tortoises that survive reach sexual maturity slowly , with female gopher tortoises reaching sexual maturity between 9 and 21 years . male gopher tortoises may reach sexual maturity slightly earlier than females ( gopher tortoise management plan , 2012 ) .
has been working closely with usfws and nrcs on this new cost - share opportunity for private landowners to receive funds specifically for managing gopher tortoise habitat . of the $ 33 million from whip , to share the cost of conservation practices with landowners , approximately $ 6 million is reserved for improving gopher tortoise habitat throughout its range . the goal of this new funding initiative is to help reverse the decline of seven critical species including the gopher tortoise . this is an amazing opportunity for private landowners in florida to help conserve this threatened reptile .
habitat restored for the gopher tortoise benefits many other species , including red cockaded woodpecker , black pine snake , bobwhite quail , white - tailed deer , turkey and dusky gopher frog . in total , 28 threatened and endangered species are dependent on longleaf pine forests .
if the tortoise population was at the point of needing to be listed under the endangered species act , significant regulatory requirements could drain energy , resources and enthusiasm from efforts to facilitate the species’ recovery . the gopher tortoise initiative unites landowners , timber growers and businesses across the state to proactively enhance gopher tortoise populations and habitats . the result is a powerful convergence : everyone’s working together to prevent the listing . what’s good for the gopher tortoise is good for landowners , businesses , and an entire ecosystem . if successful , they will also be conserving iconic habitats on a historic scale , demonstrating how tortoises , landowners , and industry can coexist .
practice good habitat management for gopher tortoises . regular prescribed burning and tree thinning can help provide the open habitat that gopher tortoises need . check out fwc’s landowners guide here .
t , favored by gopher tortoises , helped identify counties the program will benefit most .
salmonella from gopher tortoises ( gopherus polyphemus ) in south georgia . - pubmed - ncbi
pathology of upper respiratory tract disease of gopher tortoises in florida . - pubmed - ncbi
florida fish and wildlife conservation commission . gopher tortoise management plan . 2 . tallahassee , fl : florida fish and wildlife conservation commission . 2012 . accessed december 01 , 2013 at urltoken .
the gopher tortoise is protected throughout its range either by state or federal law . in alabama , mississippi , and louisiana ; it is a federally threatened species . getting a permit to keep a gopher tortoise as a pet is very difficult . however , in the state of florida , one can get a permit to keep individuals through the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission .
buhlmann , k . a . , b . m . moule , a . grosse * * , t . d . tuberville , and s . h . bennett . 2009 . summary report for the gopher tortoise reintroduction project at the aiken gopher tortoise heritage preserve 2009 . report submitted to sc department of natural resources , 9 december 2009 . 7pp . ( technical report )
gopher tortoises , for the most part , are herbivorous animals . some typical elements of the gopher tortoise diet are berries , fruit , spurge , pines , herbs , beech , peas , daisies , asters and grass . low plants are a particular favorite for gopher tortoises , especially those that appear under strong sun . one of their preferred grasses is wire grass .
“the gopher tortoise habitat won’t recreate itself , ” said lee . “management efforts will be necessary , such as prescribed burning , removal of woody undergrowth , longleaf pine tree planting , and restoration of native grasses , and there are costs involved with that . ” the gopher tortoise initiative includes the establishment of a fund that will be used to help cover the costs of habitat restoration .
gopher tortoises live in well - drained sandy areas with a sparse tree canopy and abundant low growing vegetation . they are commonly found in habitats such as sandhill , pine flatwoods , scrub , scrubby flatwoods , dry prairies , xeric hammock , pine - mixed hardwoods , and coastal dunes which have historically been maintained by periodic wild fires . when fire is suppressed in gopher tortoise habitat , small trees , shrubs , and brambles begin to grow making it difficult for the gopher tortoise to move around and eventually shade out the low growing plants that gopher tortoises eat .
gopher tortoises are found in habitats often desired for development . due to their protected status , land developers are required to obtain permits before developing land where gopher tortoises are present . sometimes , gopher tortoises may be relocated . at other times , however , the land is protected from development . a delay in development , or lack of development in protected habitats , may thus have a small negative economic impact on humans ( gopher tortoise management plan 2012 ) .
burke , r . , m . ewert , j . mclemore , d . jackson . 1996 . temperature - dependent sex determination and hatching success in the gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) .
u . s . fish and wildlife service . 1990 . agency draft : gopher tortoise recovery plan . 37 pages . usfws , endangered species program , southeastern regional office , atlanta , georgia .
reports that gopher tortoises eat a mixed diet of grasses , leaves , and wild fruits .
diemer , j . 1989 . gopherus polyphemus , gopher tortoise . pp . 14 - 16 . in : the conservation biology of tortoises . iucn species survival commission . occasional paper no . 5 .
scientists from the nature conservancy , dnr and other partners have concluded that if we can protect 100 , 000 acres or more of critical gopher tortoise habitat , the species will not need regulatory protection .
the collaborative initiative is off to a strong start , with 47 viable gopher tortoise populations now permanently protected - up from 36 when gtci launched . as of march 2018 , private sources have pledged more than $ 15 million which has allowed gtci to leverage more than $ 65 million in federal and state funding . a private foundation has also launched a donation match program to support the gopher tortoise .
if you have a funding opportunity available for gopher tortoise education or research and would like for us to include the information on our website , please send the announcement to deborah . burr @ urltoken .
the gopher tortoise is listed in florida as a species of special concern ( ssc ) . auffenberg and franz ( 1982 ) have estimated that historical population densities of this species had been reduced 70 % by the year 2000 , and could be extirpated from all but protected land areas by 2025 . merritt island wildlife refuge at kennedy space center ( ksc ) in florida is the largest protected area of gopher tortoise habitat along the atlantic coast . overall tortoise density at ksc is estimated at approximately 18 , 000 animals , with tortoise density highest in areas where herbaceous cover dominates . tortoise density decreases in areas where cover of shrubs , oak trees and pines dominates ( breininger et al . 1988 , 1991 , 1994 ) .
an average tortoise of this type is approximately 10 inch ( 25 cm ) in length . a male tortoise usually grows about 12 inches in length . it can grow to a maximum of 16 inches in length .
the gopher tortoise is found in the southeastern part of the united states . its range includes southwestern south carolina , south almost to the tip of the florida peninsula ; west through southern georgia , alabama , and mississippi , to louisiana and the edge of southeastern texas and arkansas . 3 overall gopher tortoise populations have diminished severely but they still can be locally quite common , especially on certain florida islands .
gopher tracks , by susan jane ryan . this 62 - page book is most appropriate for fourth - graders and up . the book introduces gopher tortoise ecology , the role of fire in upland habitats , and the importance of environmental stewardship through the adventures of two girls , tamika and diana .
welcome teachers , students , and parents ! here you will find gopher tortoise related information and activities for all ages . this page lists all of the brochures and other forms that are available for download .
tortoises were a reliable source of food during the depression , when there was little else to eat . of course , these so called “hoover chickens” were much more plentiful 70 years ago . currently , tortoise harvesting is illegal in every state where tortoises are found . unfortunately not all states enforce tortoise protection laws . even after the harvest of tortoises was prohibited in florida , illegal hunting depleted or destroyed tortoise colonies to supply the demand for gopher meat . gopher tortoises do not reproduce at a rate that can withstand harvest .
to your smartphone and become a citizen scientist ! this app allows anyone in gopher tortoise range to record the location where they spot gopher tortoises and report that information back to the state wildlife agency . this is important data that can help experts better understand where tortoises roam and where protection is needed .
this creature looks like any other tortoise . but it has stronger and stouter limbs with fat , wide claws that aid it in digging . it has small scales that protect its forelimbs . the protective shell that is found on all turtles and tortoises is also present in gopher tortoise . the shell is an extension of its skeleton and gives it complete protection . when the tortoise senses a threat , it can pull its head and limbs into the shell . very few creatures other than human beings can hurt the tortoise at this time .
for gopher tortoise endangered species is the most appropriate term . the existence of this creature is threatened . the fish and wildlife conservation commission of florida has included this tortoise in the list of species of special concern . it is protected federally as an endangered species in all regions where it is found , except florida .
when stressed , gopher tortoises expel the contents of their bladders as a last ditch defense measure .
encounters with gopher tortoises : protection and natural history provides curriculum and activities to educators in florida .
jackson d r , milstrey e g . the fauna of gopher tortoise burrows . in : diemer j e , jackson d r , landers j l , layne j n , wood d a , editors .
gopher tortoises are found in all counties in florida and utilize many habitat types , from beach dunes to scrub and pine flatwoods . though it is generally agreed that typical gopher tortoise habitats are sandy and well - drained , breininger et al . ( 1991 ) observed that in brevard county , florida , gopher tortoises often inhabit poorly - drained scrub and slash pine areas . the breininger et al . ( 1991 ) study reported higher overall tortoise densities in poorly - drained areas than in well - drained , sandy areas .
the nature conservancy is working with the georgia department of natural resources ( dnr ) and other vital conservation partners to protect a minimum of 65 viable gopher tortoise populations by 2020 . to meet this goal , the gopher tortoise conservation initiative ( gtci ) aims to raise $ 150 million from state , federal and private sources to protect 100 , 000 + acres of key habitat , and raise additional funds to manage those lands .
as its name implies , the gopher tortoise digs burrows of up to 40 feet in length that allow escape from heat and danger . these burrows are a unique climate resiliency feature of southeastern landscapes , harboring many other wildlife species . the gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species of longleaf pine forests , one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world , because its presence supports the stability of many other wildlife populations .
gopher tortoises are terrestrial tortoises and can be found in habitats with dry , sandy soils , a thin tree canopy , and plenty of low growing vegetation . some common gopher tortoise habitats include scrub , coastal dunes , sandhill , pine and scrubby flatwoods , prairie , pine - mixed hardwoods , and xeric hammock . periodic burning is an essential component of gopher tortoise habitat , as it inhibits the growth of tall , dense vegetation that prevents the growth of low growing plants that make up the tortoises’ diet . within these habitats ,
gopher tortoise lives in places like florida , alabama , south carolina , east louisiana , mississippi and south georgia . however , it is most commonly found in all the 67 counties of the us state of florida .
(
anage entry for gopherus polyphemus
, 2012 ;
gopher tortoise management plan
, 2012 ; conant and collins , 1998 ; ernst and lovich , 2009 ; mushinsky , et al . , 1994 )
leave burrows alone ! if you have any proposed development activities within 25 feet of a burrow , contact your local extension office or the fwc gopher tortoise conservation biologist in your area for guidance on what to do .
diemer , j . 1987 . the status of the gopher tortoise in florida . pp . 72 - 83 . in : proceedings of the third southeastern nongame and endangered wildlife symposium . georgia department of natural resources .
i found this gopher tortoise 3 years ago during a trip to the everglades ! it remains one of my favorite reptile finds ! ( not my arms pictured ; my professor was holding it while i photographed ) .
the longleaf alliance also offers an educational poster that depicts many of the plants and animals that could be encountered on a stroll through the longleaf pine forest , one habitat in which the gopher tortoise can be found .
gopher tortoises play an important role in ecosystem ecology for two reasons . first , by consuming grasses , herbs , and the fruits of trees , the gopher tortoise aids in seed dispersal . second , its burrows provide important habitat for more than 80 different species of invertebrates and vertebrates , some of which are rare .
millburn , naomi .
the foods that gopher tortoises eat
accessed july 09 , 2018 . urltoken
gopher tortoises depend on deep , well - drained soils and an open understory . in turn , their burrows provide vital shelter for many at - risk species . gopher tortoises also help disperse plant seeds .
first year post - release movement and survivorship of head - started gopher tortoises . to appear in :
teaching about gopher tortoises : protection and natural history provides facilitator ' s curriculum for training environmental educators .
more than 80 percent of gopher tortoise habitat is in private or corporate hands , and we really need your help identifying the status of gopher tortoises on your land to better assess populations and trends . fire helps maintain good habitat conditions for tortoises . if your land is primarily in silviculture ( pine tree farming ) , you can help gopher tortoises by prescribed burning and tree thinning to achieve the open habitat that tortoises need .
the gopher tortoise lives in dry , sandy uplands , such as oak - sandhills , scrub , pine flatwoods and coastal dunes of the southeastern united states . it is the only tortoise in the eastern part of the country . human activities eliminated gopher tortoises from a significant portion of their historic range , but they still occur in alabama , south carolina , louisiana , mississippi and georgia , with the majority of the remaining population in florida .
the gopher tortoise is a fairly large tortoise , which reaches 24 cm ( 9 . 4 inches ) in size . there are occasional specimens of greater than 30 cm ( 12 inches ) and the record is 38 cm ( 15 inches ) . this tortoise has a low oval carapace with a flat top . this appearance occasionally results in amateurs thinking it to be an aquatic turtle and returning it to the nearest body of water , often resulting in drowning .
“this is a lot bigger than eglin air force base , ” he said in an e & e article . “the work we are doing here will impact other department of defense installations and other gopher tortoise conservation areas . ”
the u . s . fish and wildlife service listed the gopher tortoise as a threatened species in louisiana , mississippi and western alabama during 1987 . in 1990 the service has distributed a draft recovery plan for the western population for public comment . the gopher tortoise is protected on all federal wildlife refuges , national parks and seashores , national forests and military reservations . the gopher tortoise is listed on appendix ii of the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora ( cites ) . appendix ii listing implies that commercial trade is allowed providing a permit from the country of export is obtained . this method provides for monitoring of international trade of all designated species .
gopher tortoises can sometimes be killed by natural predators without major impact on the colony as a whole . however , these predators and domestic pets can kill an inordinate number of gopher tortoises when homeowners bring unrestrained dogs and cats into an area , or feed raccoons to the point at which ground nesters like gopher tortoises and bob white quail have their egg clutches eliminated . illegal take of gopher tortoises by poachers can also devastate a colony , as the gopher tortoise has a low rate of reproduction . small clutch size , low egg and hatchling survival , and late reproductive maturity mean it can take many years for a colony to replace those individuals lost .
floridians can obtain “burrow or structure protection” permits that allow for the “on - site relocation of tortoises” for residents who can prove that burrows “compromise existing structures” ( such as one underneath a propane tank ) or put the tortoise in danger ( such as one in a driveway or parking lot ) , according to the official gopher - tortoise - permit guidelines .
u . s . fish and wildlife service . 1990 . gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) recovery plan . prepared by wendell a . neal , u . s . fish and wildlife service , jackson , mi . 28 pp .
if you suspect that someone has unlawfully destroyed or harmed a gopher tortoise or its burrow , report it to fwc’s toll - free wildlife alert hotline at 1 - 888 - 404 - 3922 or text tip @ myfwc . com .
habitat destruction , degradation and human predation have greatly reduced gopher tortoise populations . more than 90 million acres of the u . s . southeast was once covered by longleaf pine savanna . about 3 . 4 million acres remain today .
more than 80 percent of gopher tortoise habitat is privately owned . landowners are helping the gopher tortoise by enhancing and restoring longleaf pine forests . with the help of nrcs , landowners are improving forest stands through prescribed burning and other sustainable forestry practices as well as planting new longleaf pine trees . fires historically burned through the pine savannahs of the south , which suppressed woody species and enabled longleaf pine forests to have an open understory . prescribed burning mimics that process .
white , k . n . 2017 . patterns in siring success and multiple paternity in the gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) . m . s . thesis , university of georgia , athens , ga . 59 pp . researchgate profile
eglin’s wildlife chief justin johnson considers this an opportunity to encourage other southeastern military installations to conserve gopher tortoises .
before you build contains information about what landowners should know about gopher tortoises before breaking ground on construction activities .
gopher tortoises are primarily herbivorous , although they will eat bones from dead animals , presumably to get calcium . their primary food sources are low - growing grasses and herbs . examples of their favorite foods are gopher apple and saw palmetto berries . they will eat the pads , fruits , and flowers of prickly pear cactus . one of the gopher tortoise ' s important roles in the ecosystem is to spread the seeds of many plants in its droppings .
the primary threat to the gopher tortoise is habitat loss . habitat alteration , such as urbanization , generally occurs in the same high , dry habitats that the tortoise prefers . lack of appropriate land management ( especially controlled burning ) has also contributed to population declines in areas where natural habitat remains . other threats include road mortality from vehicles and illegal human predation .
disruption of the natural fire regime due to development in much of the gopher tortoise’s habitat is also problematic . fire is important because it thins out the canopy and dense woody brush and allows for herbaceous vegetation that provides food for the gopher tortoise . prescribed burning ( or mowing and thinning in areas where burning is too risky ) can substitute for the natural fire regime , but many natural areas around development are left untouched and the vegetation gets too dense . on top of reducing habitat for gopher tortoises , this build up of dense vegetation also increases risk of dangerous crown fires .
gopher tortoises are often called wildlife landlords because their burrows are essential to the lives and well - being of many other wildlife species . these animals that take advantage of the tortoise ' s burrow , but neither help nor harm the tortoise , are called commensals . commensals benefit from the protection of the burrow , but the burrow may also provide a smorgasbord for any predator that ventures into it . over 300 species of invertebrates and 60 species of vertebrates have been documented using tortoise burrows .
the revised gopher tortoise management plan was approved on september 5 , 2012 . the revised plan takes the place of the original plan approved in 2007 ( see below ) . thank you to all stakeholders and members of the public for input and participation throughout this process . the gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) has been regulated in florida since 1972 and has been fully protected since 1988 . despite the afforded protection , gopher tortoise populations throughout the state have declined . as a response to the continuing decline of the species , a new management plan was drafted and approved in september 2007 as a precursor to reclassifying the gopher tortoise from a
species of special concern
to a
threatened species .
the threatened status was approved and went into effect on november 8 , 2007 . following the first 5 years of implementation , fwc worked with stakeholders to revise and improve the original management plan . the revised plan was approved in september 2012 .
the gopher tortoise , currently endangered because of habitat loss , digs burrows that provide homes to more than 300 other types of animals . a new study examines the ease with which wildlife can move from one habitat to another . credit :
there are multiple benefits to protecting these tortoises in georgia ,
says deron davis , executive director of the nature conservancy in georgia .
from a conservation perspective , protecting the gopher tortoise ' s habitat will have wide ranging benefits to animals within its ecosystem that depend on it , including indigo snakes , striped newts , eastern diamond - backed rattlesnakes , florida pine snakes and gopher frogs . the people of georgia will benefit from a quality of life perspective because some of the protected gopher tortoise habitats will be open to the public for recreation . from an economic perspective , landowners with gopher tortoises on their property will avoid the costly regulations and policies of the endangered species list .
primarily herbivorous creatures , gopher tortoises eat grasses , mushrooms , saw palmetto berries , and prickly pear cactus pads , fruits and flowers , as well as blackberries , blueberries , gopher apples and other low - growing fruits .
specific antibody to m . agassizii in gopher tortoises experimentally infected with different doses of m . agassizii ( , low dose ; ▨ , medium dose ; ■ , high dose ) and control gopher tortoises ( □ ) .
the gopher tortoise is an obligate burrower with many adaptations for digging . the limbs are very stout and strong , with wide flat claws . the front legs are protected with small scales . the shell of the tortoise ( and all turtles ) is an outgrowth of the skeleton and is their major means of protection . when the tortoise pulls his head completely into the shell and covers the openings with his limbs , there are very few predators , other than humans , that can harm him .
the gopher tortoise is a moderate - sized , terrestrial turtle that averages 9 - 11 inches ( 23 - 28 centimeters ) long . this species of tortoise has a brown , gray , or tan upper shell ( carapace ) , a yellow lower shell ( plastron ) , and brown to dark gray skin ( florida natural areas inventory 2001 ) . gopher tortoises have stumpy , elephant - like hind feet and flattened , shovel - like forelimbs that are used for digging burrows .
this species hibernates in nature , after careful research and provision of a cool dry location this can be reproduced for your tortoise .
invertebrates are also commonly found in the burrows , including some 32 species of spiders , ticks , and insects . it is this creation of the burrow refuge that has acknowledged the gopher tortoise by ecologists as the keystone species for its habitat .
as you can see , there are plenty of ways you can get involved to help save gopher tortoises . if you have any questions or want to talk tortoise , feel free to shoot me an email at lkolluri @ ufl . edu .
working lands for wildlife will complement the existing longleaf pine initiative by providing targeted funding to help enhance , restore and protect gopher tortoise habitat , and increase landowner confidence that the conservation practices they implement will not harm the species or its habitat .
click here for resources regarding voluntary best management practices for the solar industry to minimize and possibly avoid impacts to at - risk species and habitats , like the gopher tortoise and sandhills . it is important to note that some states , such as florida , have regulatory requirements for impacts to gopher tortoises and other wildlife on sites proposed for solar farm development .
with those criteria in mind , and as good environmental stewards , we can all help wild gopher tortoises by preserving their upland habitat and , in general , by simply leaving them alone . it is unlawful to possess a gopher tortoise or any other native georgia wildlife species without a special permit . like all wild animals , they are not “pets . ”
millburn , naomi .
the foods that gopher tortoises eat .
animals - urltoken , http : / / animals . urltoken / foods - gopher - tortoises - eat - 4122 . html . accessed 09 july 2018 .
restock gopher tortoises to protected , managed , suitable habitats where they no longer occur or where densities are low .
the gopher tortoise is listed internationally as a cites ii species and is federally listed in the united states under the endangered species act . because of this protected status , it is illegal to collect a gopher tortoise from the wild . contact your state’s wildlife agency for information on the permitting procedure as it varies state to state . such wild collection permits are very rarely granted . check with your state wildlife agency before you consider adopting an animal of this species as federal law protects it .
“our goal is to protect gopher tortoise habitat now , while lands are still available that can be managed to sustain healthy populations , ” said lee . he explained that the investment we make today in protecting their habitat will eliminate the need for costly impact studies and mitigation that could be required in the future if the gopher tortoise is listed as an endangered species . “we have a rare opportunity in that we have time to fix this , ” he said . “it’s good conservation . ”
gopher tortoises are currently protected by federal law under the endangered species act ( esa ) in the alabama counties west of the mobile and tombigbee rivers and in mississippi and louisiana . the eastern portion of the gopher tortoise’s range includes alabama ( east of the tombigbee and mobile rivers ) , florida , georgia , and southern south carolina . in these areas , the gopher tortoise is now a candidate species for possible listing later under the esa . in the western range states , west of the tombigbee river in alabama , mississippi , and louisiana , it will continue to be listed as threatened under the esa .
breininger , d . r . , p . a . schmalzer , and c . r . hinkle . 1994 . gopher tortoise ( gopherus polyphemus ) densities in coastal scrub and slash pine flatwoods . journal of herpetology 28 : 60 - 65 .
quinn * , d . , t . d . tuberville , and k . a . buhlmann . 2016 . gopher tortoise egg and hatching data from predator - excluded nests at three sites in georgia . herpetological review 47 : 13 - 16 .
the gopher tortoise is one of fwc ' s featured critters and was developed with the idea of increasing awareness among floridians . the featured creature includes a collection of information and photos on that particular species in a format designed as a newspaper page .
millburn , naomi . ( n . d . ) . the foods that gopher tortoises eat . animals - urltoken . retrieved from http : / / animals . urltoken / foods - gopher - tortoises - eat - 4122 . html
the jones ecological research center has the state’s largest gopher tortoise population and has been the site of several previous studies , according to smith , and the property is managed with frequent prescribed fire to maintain high - quality habitat for tortoises and other wildlife .
tortoise densities tend to be higher in fire - adapted communities ( auffenberg and franz 1982 ; diemer 1986 ) . in the absence of fire , canopy trees grow large and shade out the herbaceous vegetation that gopher tortoises rely on as their primary food source .
description : the gopher tortoise is the only tortoise in the southeast and can easily be distinguished from the box turtle ( our only other fully terrestrial turtle ) by its large size , rigid , unhinged plastron ( bottom of shell ) and its stumpy , unwebbed feet . adult gopher tortoises are large 9 - 15 in ( 24 - 38 cm ) and are tan or brown above with a yellowish plastron . the juveniles can be yellowish and brightly patterned . males have a concave plastron and longer tail than females .
builds underground burrows . these burrows average 4 . 5 meters in length and 2 meters deep . these burrows , which maintain a steady temperature and humidity throughout the year , provide gopher tortoise with protection from fires , extreme temperatures , drought , and predators .
and the guidelines for development in tortoise habitat . we also worked with agencies and private land managers like foresters and farmers , on wildlife best management practices manuals that describe how operations on forests and agricultural lands can protect gopher tortoises , their nests and burrows .
tuberville , t . d . , and m . e . dorcas . 2001 . winter survey of a gopher tortoise population in south carolina . chelonian conservation and biology 4 : 182 - 186 . ( impact factor : 0 . 808 ) ( pdf )
the first and most important component of gopher tortoise conservation is to conserve and manage remaining upland habitat , including the wetlands that are a part of the complete ecosystem . we also advocate restoration of upland habitat that has been degraded by intensive silviculture , mining , destruction of native ground cover , and fire exclusion . much research has been conducted with the goal of evaluating the proper management guidelines for upland ecosystems , particularly longleaf pine habitats , including gopher tortoises and other upland species . thinning of pines , prescribed burning , removal of exotic plants and animals , and replanting of native groundcover are all components of appropriate management of gopher tortoise habitat .
gopher tortoises are so named because of their ability to dig large , deep burrows . these burrows are widely used by other species throughout the ecosystem , making gopher tortoises a keystone species with a pivotal role to play in their native community .
the gopher tortoise is a moderate - sized , terrestrial turtle , averaging 23–28 cm ( 9–11 in ) in length . the species is identified by its stumpy , elephantine hind feet and flattened , shovel - like forelimbs adapted for digging . the shell is oblong and generally tan , brown , or gray in coloration . gopher tortoises can live 40 to 60 years in the wild .
gopher tortoises that live in captive settings - - think zoos - - eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables . some examples of produce items that captive gopher tortoises consume are bananas , watermelon , apples , alfalfa , cantaloupe , sliced up carrots , broccoli , zucchini , green beans , endives , sweet potatoes , white potatoes and escarole . they also regularly eat tortoise chow .


glaphyria glaphyralis , the common glaphyria moth , is a moth in the crambidae family .

it was described by guenée in 1854 .

it is found in north america , where it has been recorded from alabama , arkansas , florida , georgia , illinois , indiana , kentucky , maryland , massachusetts , mississippi , missouri , new jersey , north carolina , ohio , oklahoma , ontario , pennsylvania , south carolina , tennessee and west virginia .

glaphyria glaphyralis

species glaphyria glaphyralis - common glaphyria moth - hodges # 4869 - bugguide . net
photographs are the copyrighted property of each photographer listed . contact individual photographers for permission to use for any purpose .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
upcoming events 2018 bugguide gathering in virginia july 27 - 29 : registration and discussion photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in wisconsin , july 10 - 12 photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in virginia , june 4 - 7 . photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in arizona , july 25 - 28 photos of insects and people from the 2012 gathering in alabama photos of insects and people from the 2011 gathering in iowa photos from the 2010 workshop in grinnell , iowa photos from the 2009 gathering in washington
forbes , w . t . m . 1923 . the lepidoptera of new york and neighboring states . memoir 68 .
the lepidoptera of new york and neighboring states william t . m . forbes . 1923 . cornell university , ithaca , new york ; memoir 68 .
contributed by jason d . roberts on 14 august , 2008 - 9 : 04pm additional contributions by steve nanz , jeff hollenbeck , robert lord zimlich last updated 20 march , 2015 - 3 : 54am
disclaimer : dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service . we strive to provide accurate information , but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world . if you need expert professional advice , contact your local extension office .
contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content . click the contributor ' s name for licensing and usage information . everything else copyright © 2003 - 2018 iowa state university , unless otherwise noted .
came to lights at night . seems not to be found often in texas thus far .
select your preferred way to display the comments and click ' save settings ' to activate your changes .
tallahassee , leon county , florida , usa august 14 , 2014 size : approx . 7 mm
i am moving this to moths today to free up the id request , but will get back to study it . marcia is probably right . 9 2 14 - i agree with marcia ' s suggestion .
80x5 - 240x3 - 240x4 - 320x1 - 320x2 - 320x3 - 640x1 - 640x2 set display option above . click on images to enlarge .


protorthodes orobia is a moth in the noctuidae family .

it is known only from eastern texas , where it is most common along the gulf coast .

the length of the forewings is 11 – 14 mm .

the ground colour of the forewings is grey-brown with a dusting of white scales .

the maculation is defined by thin white lines with the transverse lines represented on the costa by seven wider white spots .

adults are on wing in october .

protorthodes orobia

protorthodes lindrothi krogerus , 1954 ; 20 , f . 33 ; tl : newfoundland , badger
protorthodes mcdunnough , 1943 ; can . ent . 75 : 51 ; ts : taeniocampa curtica smith
central texas material in this complex was recently described as a new species by lafontaine et al . ( 2014 ) in their revision of the genus . needs a new bg page . see : lafontaine d , walsh j , ferris c ( 2014 ) a revision of the genus protorthodes mcdunnough with descriptions of a new genus and four new species ( lepidoptera , noctuidae , noctuinae , eriopygini ) . zookeys 421 : 139 - 179 . doi : 10 . 3897 / zookeys . 421 . 6664
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
photographs are the copyrighted property of each photographer listed . contact individual photographers for permission to use for any purpose .
upcoming events 2018 bugguide gathering in virginia july 27 - 29 : registration and discussion photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in wisconsin , july 10 - 12 photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in virginia , june 4 - 7 . photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in arizona , july 25 - 28 photos of insects and people from the 2012 gathering in alabama photos of insects and people from the 2011 gathering in iowa photos from the 2010 workshop in grinnell , iowa photos from the 2009 gathering in washington
here ' s a travis co . data point for this species ; the only one i ' ve photographed . at porchlight in wooded ( juniper - oak - elm ) suburban area .
great catch , maury ! i would have misidentified this critter 10 times out of 9 . after studying the two on mpg , i don ' t feel that i need to offer too strong a mea culpa . thanks , as always . [ original id : ogdoconta tacna ; header changed 2 / 10 / 13 . ]
select your preferred way to display the comments and click ' save settings ' to activate your changes .
disclaimer : dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service . we strive to provide accurate information , but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world . if you need expert professional advice , contact your local extension office .
contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content . click the contributor ' s name for licensing and usage information . everything else copyright © 2003 - 2018 iowa state university , unless otherwise noted .
larva on fragaria , verbascum , balsamorrhiza spp . , chrysothamnus ; godfrey , 1972 , [ poole ]
taeniocampa indra smith , 1906 ; 233 ; tl : arizona , yavapai co . , minnehaha
perigea texana smith , 1900 ; 476 ; tl : texas , round mt .
namangana variabilis barnes & mcdunnough , 1912 ; 21 , pl . 1 ; tl : california , san diego
eriopyga melanopis hampson , 1905 ; 299 , pl . 86 , f . 31 ; tl : arizona
eriopyga constans dyar , 1918 ; proc . u . s . nat . mus . 54 ( 2239 ) : 344 ; tl : mexico
[ maps ] warning ! the maps are automatically generated from the textual information , and the process does not always produce acceptable result ; see about maps for more info .
histoire naturelle des insectes . species général des lépidoptéres . tome cinquiéme . noctuélites . tome 1
biologia centrali - americana ; or contributions to the knowledge of the fauna of mexico and central america . zoology . lepidoptera . heterocera
[ poole ] ; poole , 1989 lepidopterorum catalogus ( new series ) 118 : noctuidae lepid . cat . ( n . s . ) 118 :
if you have corrections , comments or information to add into these pages , just send mail to markku savela keep in mind that the taxonomic information is copied from various sources , and may include many inaccuracies . expert help is welcome .
confused by a class within a class or an order within an order ? please see our brief essay .
to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .
disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .
this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .
80x5 - 240x3 - 240x4 - 320x1 - 320x2 - 320x3 - 640x1 - 640x2 set display option above . click on images to enlarge .
for full functionality of researchgate it is necessary to enable javascript . here are the instructions how to enable javascript in your web browser .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 0 transitional / / en
to view a subset of photographs , use any combination of filters and search boxes . the search boxes can accept full or partial names . all filters are applied together .
click on a photograph to view full size , or click on a scientific name to go to a species profile .
- any - barbados belize bermuda bonaire canada cayman islands costa rica cuba dominican republic el salvador guatemala haiti honduras jamaica mexico nicaragua panama puerto rico st . kitts the bahamas united states


the genus passerina is a group of birds in the cardinal family ( cardinalidae ) .

although not directly related to buntings in the family emberizidae , they are sometimes known as the north american buntings ( the north american emberizidae are colloquially called " sparrows " although they are also not related to these birds ) .

the males show vivid colors in the breeding season ; the plumage of females and immature birds is duller .

these birds go through two molts in a year ; the males are generally less colorful in winter .

they have short tails and short slim legs .

they have smaller bills than other cardinalidae ; they mainly eat seeds in winter and insects in summer .

the blue grosbeak ( p. caerulea ) was once placed in the monotypic genus , guiraca .

passerina

the genus passerina is in the family thymelaeaceae in the major group angiosperms ( flowering plants ) .
passero is the italian word for
sparrow
, the bird known to italian vinegrowers for its voracious appetite for ripe passerina grapes . the italian
–ina
suffix is a diminutive , and indicates the relatively small size of passerina grapes .
the plant list includes 137 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus passerina . of these 12 are accepted species names .
passerina corymbosa , a medium to tall shrub covered in masses of small creamy flowers , is fast - growing and would be a welcome addition to any fynbos garden .
to cite this page : zumberg , r . 1999 .
passerina cyanea
( on - line ) , animal diversity web . accessed july 09 , 2018 at urltoken
khoi people are said to have used certain passerina species as cordage for the purpose of tying together poles for huts , and also plaited it into twine and thongs for whips .
the variety differs considerably from region to region in terms of the wine it makes , but a familiar character of ripe citrus fruit unites passerina wines . in marche , the wines are sharper with an intense minerality whereas , on italy ' s west coast , in lazio the wines are softer with an almost creamy texture . some ampelographers have suggested that passerina is not one grape variety , but several , a hypothesis which is supported by this regional flavor disparity .
passerina corymbosa usually occurs on slopes and sandy flats where it grows amongst dry and asteraceous fynbos . it occurs from tulbagh in the western cape to port elizabeth in the eastern cape , with an altitude variation of 20 - 1850 m .
passerina corymbosa is the most frequently encountered species in the genus passerina and varies in height from 1 - 3 m . the stems , which are made up of extremely tough fibres , are not easy to break and the bark peels off in long , tough strips . a definite distinguishing feature is the young white stems which are partially covered with tiny , linear leaves about 5 mm long . the normal green , linear leaves have a hairy groove beneath and are 3 - 10 mm long .
of the 2015 vintage , fiona beckett said : wowed by the bottles of tesco ' s finest passerina i took round to go with her spagetti with prawns , that ' s a wine that hits the spot somewhere between pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc .
the appellation
offida
controlled and guaranteed designation of origin ( docg ) is used for wines produced in the municipality of offida in ascoli piceno province ( the correct pronunciation is
offìda
) . wines produced with the ancient passerina grape variety that meet the standards of the “offida” docg production rules are classified as “offida passerina” . the rules were approved as doc pursuant to ministerial decree dated 23 . 05 . 2001 , and as docg pursuant to ministerial decree dated 15 . 06 . 2011 [ download the production rules ]
passerina corymbosa is a pioneer species with a short juvenile period . it also has a high seed output and quite large seedbanks . this relatively short - lived species also shows high levels of senescence and mortality in a 10 - 15 - year - old veld .
passerina is an ancient and traditional grape variety used in the white wines of the marche wine region of central italy . it is thought to be a mutation of biancame ( the name by which the bianchello grape is known in marche ) , and it is often confused with bombino bianco and trebbiano toscano . the majority of passerina vines are to be found in marche ' s piceno province ( of rosso piceno fame ) , but there are also significant plantings all across central italy , in abruzzo , emilia - romagna and lazio .
passerina corymbosa , like most other taxa in this genus , was used to heat up ovens . when set alight , a tremendous blaze was produced which rapidly heated the oven . due to its tough stems , the bakkerbos was also very effective in tying down thatch .
the plant list includes a further 34 scientific plant names of infraspecific rank for the genus passerina . we do not intend the plant list to be complete for names of infraspecific rank . these are primarily included because names of species rank are synonyms of accepted infraspecific names .
passerina is a very ancient local white grape cultivar from the central - adriatic region of italy , which is known under many different appellations in other regions . today passerina is widely grown in marche region ( above all in ascoli piceno province where between the 70s and 80s farsighted producers like cocci grifoni invested in this variety ) . it is also grown in abruzzo , umbria and some areas of lazio . many sources indicate passerina as a variety of the trebbiano cultivar . according to some researchers , it originated from a genetic mutation of biancame , also known as bianchello , a grape variety today widely grown in the pesaro area in northern marche . in her “guide to wine grapes” ( published by slow food , 1996 ) , jancis robinson describes passerina as an “ancient grape variety which is perhaps a relative of the trebbiano” . the vine’s hardy resistance to mildew and parasites ensures excellent harvests . some of the more curious appellations of this grape variety ( “pagadebiti” , “scacciacambiali” ) come from these very characteristics , and were passed on by word of mouth as pearls of farming wisdom . ( source : salvatore marsillo , bibenda 7 , ais . ) .
recommended citation birdlife international ( 2018 ) species factsheet : passerina cyanea . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 . recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species : birdlife international ( 2018 ) iucn red list for birds . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 .
recommended citation birdlife international ( 2018 ) species factsheet : passerina ciris . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 . recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species : birdlife international ( 2018 ) iucn red list for birds . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 .
passerina also goes by the names uva passera , campolese , and trebbiano di teramo , after the teramo hills ( colli teramane ) in northern abruzzo . it is even sometimes known as pagadebit , meaning debt - payer , although this name is given to several high - yielding italian grape varieties .
varied buntings share the same sequence of molts and plumages as other passerina species , and first - year males exhibit delayed plumage maturation . songs are similar to those of indigo ( p . cyanea ) and lazuli ( p . amoena ) buntings in that individuals share syllables , neighboring males share songs , and population repertoire is limited .
passerina vines have mid - sized , pentagonal leaves and small grapes , which grow in medium - to - large clusters . the berry ' s skin is quite thick and ripens to a deep golden color . the grapes ripen with a high level of natural sugars , and have correspondingly high acidity , making for balanced wines in all but the hottest sites .
the grape varieties used to produce wines under the “marche” igt appellation must be grown in the administrative territory of the provinces of ancona , ascoli piceno , fermo , macerata and pesaro urbino in marche region . marche “passerina” igt wines must have a total alcohol volume of at least 10 % vol . but no more than 15 % vol . [ download the production rules ]
the genus name passerina was given by the great carl linnaeus . the genus passer consists of the passerine group of birds , to which sparrows belong . passer - presumably refers to a sparrow , while - ina relates to the black seeds which resemble a sparrow ' s beak . the species name corymbosa , meaning a cluster , is derived from the greek word korumbos , which may refer to the inflorescence being a corymb , which is a raceme with the lower flower stalks longer than those above . this feature enables all the flowers to be on the same level . two other passerinas included in this series are p . ericoides and p . filiformis subsp . filiformis .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 01 transitional / / en
urltoken
chief , bird section , u . s . g . s . - b . r . d . - p . w . r . c .
ioc world bird list ( v 5 . 3 ) , website ( version 5 . 3 )
gill , f . , and d . donsker , eds . 2015 . ioc world bird list ( v 5 . 3 ) . available at urltoken [ accessed 04 september , 2015 ]
zoonomen - zoological nomenclature resource , 2015 . 02 . 01 , website ( version 01 - feb - 15 )
banks , r . c . , r . w . mcdiarmid , and a . l . gardner
checklist of vertebrates of the united states , the u . s . territories , and canada
disclaimer : itis taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available , and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties . however , it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes . while every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up - to - date information available , ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the united states is a party , wildlife statutes , regulations , and any applicable notices that have been published in the federal register . for further information on u . s . legal requirements with respect to protected taxa , please contact the u . s . fish and wildlife service .
the insignificant small flowers , which are dull cream or reddish , are borne in large numbers in the axils of the leaves . however , during the flowering period , from august to november , the red sepals and large yellow anthers are quite showy . ( it is advisable to use a hand lens to observe this magical phenomenon . )
the stamens and exserted anthers , which appear on the long filaments , are attached to the top of the calyx tube . the coloured calyx is inflated below , with four lobes above . there are no petals present .
this widespread shrub is not endangered or vulnerable . it has a status of least concern .
here , this fine - leaved , ericoid shrub grows on some of the driest fynbos patches , and its ability to extract soil moisture from deep underground enables it to survive harsh conditions .
the gonna bush , by which it is more commonly known , also grows on the lowlands where dry fynbos , renosterveld and succulent karoo merge , with soil types ranging from colluvial ( or shallow litho soils derived from quartzite ) , calcareous dunes on coastal forelands , to shales and sil - ferricretes . in mountainous areas this shrub grows well in soil depths of at least 40 cm . annual rainfall throughout its distribution varies from 450 - 950 mm .
other genera in the family include dais , gnidia , struthiola and lachnaea , several of which have also been described on this site .
the gonna bush , with its dry fruit , is wind - pollinated like all other species in the genus . exserted anthers normally release large amounts of pollen . these light , rounded pollen grains are then easily carried by the wind .
in fynbos terms this ericoid shrub is regarded as a seeder - a plant which is killed during a fire and then depends on seed for regeneration . seeds are mainly shed in late summer , with most of it decaying when buried in the veld for more than a year .
in areas of high rainfall it is widespread on coastal dunes due to the fact that the young sandy soil might not be well consolidated and has poor moisture retention . the gonna bush contributes to the forming of a mutualistic relationship through its root system which has the ability to stabilise sandy soils .
fire is an integral part of fynbos and helps shape the vegetation occurring in the cape region . in the long run , this phenomenon contributes towards the creation of a niche for ephemerals ( plants which grow , bloom and quickly shed seed just a few years after the fire ) . it also gives a new lease on life to seeders ( which eventually become senescent when there is no fire ) and resprouters .
this plant plays a vital role in anchoring the sandy soils of coastal dunes , and their removal can cause significant erosion . it is also useful as a filler in floral displays .
sow the relatively fresh seed during autumn using a well - drained medium such as coarse river sand . slightly level the medium , gently scatter seed , and cover lightly with sand or bark . water lightly and keep moist . seeds germinate readily . ( leonard jacobs , pers . comm . 2006 ) . in order to enhance germination , smoke - treat the seed using kirstenbosch seed primer .
once germinated , treat seedlings with diluted liquid fertiliser , as this will strengthen the root system . do this at regular intervals , once every second week .
when ready to pot , start applying liquid fertiliser at the recommended rate . after potting , a granular organic fertiliser can be introduced .
the ideal time for planting in the western cape is autumn to early winter , but planting can also be done during the rest of the year in the eastern cape .
planting during the correct time of the year gives the plant a better chance to establish itself before the onset of a harsh spring / summer . prepare the soil before planting by adding compost and organic fertiliser . this will improve water retention and soil texture . after planting , water well and cover with a fine layer of mulch or compost which will help to keep the soil cool . although this shrub naturally occurs in nutrient - deprived soil , it is recommendable to fertilise the planted area at least twice a year .
it is best used in small groupings and en masse for the small to larger garden respectively .
this shrub , which is also very effective in any water - wise garden set - up , also grows well with other shrubs such as berzelia lanuginosa , restio dispar , chondropetalum tectorum , pelargonium cucullatum , metalasia muricata , protea neriifolia , p . compacta , hymenolepis parviflora , chrysanthemoides monilifera , athanasia crithmifolia , leucospermum conocarpodendron and leucadendron gandogeri .
larger to small groundcovers that complement it well are senecio halimifolius , helichrysum cymosum , h . dasyanthum , plechostachys serpyllifolia , leucospermum oleifolium , carpobrotus edulis , c . acanaciformis and pelargonium capitatum .
bean , a . & johns , a . 2005 . stellenbosch to hermanus . south african wild flower guide 5 . botanical society of south africa , cape town .
cowling , r . 1992 . ecology of fynbos . the nutrients , fire and diversity . oxford university press , cape town .
cowling , r . & richardson , d . 1995 . fynbos : south africa ' s unique floral kingdom . fernwood press , vlaeberg , cape town .
cowling , r . m . , le matre , d . c . , mckenzie , b . , prys - jones , r . p . & van wilgen , b . w . 1987 . disturbances and the dynamics of fynbos biome communities . south african national scientific programmes report no . 135 . csir , pretoria .
dyer , r . a . 1975 . genera of southern african flowering plants , vol . 1 . dicotyledons . national botanical institute , pretoria .
jackson , w . p . u . 1980 . wild flowers of the fairest cape . howard timmens , cape town .
jackson , w . p . u . 1990 . origins and meanings of names of south african genera . university of cape town ecolab , cape town .
trinder - smith , t . 2003 . levy ' s guide to the plant genera of the southwestern cape . bolus herbarium ( university of cape town ) cape town .
usher , g . 1974 . dictionary of plants used by man . constable , london .
usher , g . 1979 . dictionary of botany , edn 4 . redwood burn , london .
van wyk , b - e . & gericke , n . 2000 . people ' s plants . a guide to useful plants of southern africa . briza publications , pretoria .
this question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions .
to see how wine - searcher uses average pricing and professional wine critic scores on this page , please see average wine prices and wine scores . to find out about popularity , please see wine ranks .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 strict / / en
urltoken
we use cookies and similar technologies ( “cookies” ) to help give you the best experience on our site and to show you relevant advertising . if you continue to use this site , we’ll assume that you’re happy to receive all cookies .
citra winery was founded in 1973 . it is located in the region of abruzzo and is now one of the leading wineries in central italy . citra is identified as a reliable partner and a producer of quality wines . also for these reasons citra is represented in 50 countries around the world and our wines ( produced by ourselves , no outsourcing ) have been awarded at the most important international wine tasting competitions . we produce a complete range of excellent wines classified as d . o . c . , i . g . t . , table wine
abruzzo is one of loveliest regions in italy . born where the sea and the mountains meet , a land protected by green mantle of natural parks and national reserve . it is a region bathed by the mediterranean climate , the special climatic condition , are the perfect nourishment for the vine , which is expressed with grapes of excellent quality from which they originate excellent wines , the pride and glory of the region , and awarded in major national and international competition .
) breed throughout eastern north america from the great plains eastward , south of the coniferous forest region . there are also some breeding populations in the western united states , including utah , arizona and california . indigo buntings winter in the coastal regions of mexico , central america , northern south america and the caribbean .
indigo buntings breed in brushy and weedy habitats along the edges of farmed land , woods , road , power lines , railways and riparian habitats . they also breed in clearings in open deciduous woodlands , in weedy or abandoned agricultural fields , and in swamps . during migration they look for open grasslands and leafy trees similar to those in their winter habitat . in winter , indigo buntings choose open habitats , such as weedy fields , citrus orchards , savannas , weedy croplands and low second growth ( payne 1992 ) .
adult male indigo buntings are brilliant blue during the breeding season , with a darker almost purple crown . females and young are brown with buff wingbars and only a tinge of blue on their tail and shoulders . indigo buntings are small birds , from 11 . 5 cm to13 cm long and weighing 12 to 18 g . they have short , conical beaks and black or gray legs and feet . ( payne 1992 , robbins , bruun and zim 1983 )
indigo buntings are socially monogamous . however , pairs only associate until incubation begins , and may switch partners within a single breeding season . fertilizations outside of a breeding pair are not uncommon and approximately 15 % of males have more than one mate .
males do not sing often in courtship , but they do follow their mate around during the nest building and laying periods , often chasing other males away .
indigo buntings breed between may and september , with most activity occurring june through august . they may raise more than one brood per season , and may switch nests or mates between broods . the female chooses the nest site and builds the nest , which may take up to eight days . nests are built in shrubs in fields or at the edges of woods , roadsides and railways . they are constructed of leaves , grasses , stems and strips of bark . after the nest is complete , the female lays 1 to 4 ( usually 3 or 4 ) white eggs . one egg is laid each day , soon after sunrise . the female begins incubating after the last egg is laid . incubation lasts for 11 to 14 ( usually 12 to 13 ) days .
the female broods the altricial chicks for the first few days after they hatch . she also feeds the chicks insects and removes their fecal sacs from the nest . the chicks leave the nest 8 to 14 days after hatching , and become independent about 3 weeks after fledging . indigo buntings are sexually mature at one year old .
breeding interval indigo buntings breed between may and september , with most activity occurring june through august .
breeding season indigo buntings may raise more than one brood per season , and may switch nests or mates between broods .
the male does not generally help with incubation or raising the chicks . the female chooses the nest site and builds the nest . she broods the altricial chicks for the first few days after they hatch , feeds them insects and removes their fecal sacs from the nest . the chicks leave the nest 8 to 14 days after hatching , and become independent about 3 weeks after fledging .
indigo buntings are generally solitary . during the breeding season , males establish and defend a territory 0 . 4 to 8 ha in size . each territory may hold one or more females . during the winter , indigo buntings roost in a flock at night , but spend the days foraging alone or in small groups . there appears to be no dominance hierarchy within these groups . ( payne 1992 )
indigo buntings are migratory , and may fly as far as 2000 miles between their wintering and breeding grounds . they leave their breeding grounds in september and october , and leave their wintering grounds to return in late april and may . they migrate largely at night . ( payne 1992 , robbins , bruun , and zim 1983 , scientific american 1980 )
in one study , 10 % of banded fledglings returned to breed within 1 to 2 km of their natal site ( payne 1992 ) .
indigo buntings use vocalizations and visual cues to communicate . only male indigo buntings sing . each male has one complex song that it sings , during the breeding season to advertise occupancy of a territory to other males and to attract females . males may also court females by performing displays , such as the display in which a male struts in circles in front of a female with his wings spread and his head crouched .
during the breeding season , indigo buntings eat small spiders and insects , seeds of grasses and herbs , and berries . major food items taken include caterpillars , grasshoppers , bugs , beetles , seeds and berries . in winter , indigo buntings eat small seeds , buds , and some insects . their main food in winter is small seeds of grasses . they also frequent feeders , and eat the seeds of rice in rice fields . indigo buntings do not appear to drink frequently , and may obtain sufficient water from their diet . ( payne 1992 )
indigo buntings feed alone during the breeding season and in flocks during the winter . they do not appear to store food for later consumption . ( payne 1992 )
although predation of adult indigo buntings surely occurs , specific predators have not been identified . brooding females , eggs and young are vulnerable to predation from climbing predators , including
when a predator approaches a nest , adult buntings may feign injury and make a chip - chip - chip call to distract the predator and lure them away from the nest . they do not mob predators .
perching birds ( order passeriformes ) as a group play an important role in the earth ' s ecosystems . they consume many varieties and amounts of food and serve as food for others and hosts for parasites ( britannica , 1986 ) . indigo buntings affect the populations of the insects they eat , and help distribute seeds of the plants whose berries they eat . they also host at least one parasite ; hippoboscid flies ( payne 1992 ) .
there is apparent aesthetic importance of songbirds like the indigo bunting to bird watchers and listeners . this brightly colored species is commonly kept as a cage bird ( britannica , 1986 ) .
indigo buntings appear to be increasing in geographic range and density . they are protected under the u . s . migratory bird act , but not under cites or the u . s . endangered species act .
indigo buntings are occasionally killed for sport and food . they are also a popular cage bird in europe and mexico . ( payne , 1992 )
living in the nearctic biogeographic province , the northern part of the new world . this includes greenland , the canadian arctic islands , and all of the north american as far south as the highlands of central mexico .
living in the southern part of the new world . in other words , central and south america .
young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state ; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth / hatching . in birds , naked and helpless after hatching .
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror - image halves . animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides , as well as anterior and posterior ends . synapomorphy of the bilateria .
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature . endothermy is a synapomorphy of the mammalia , although it may have arisen in a ( now extinct ) synapsid ancestor ; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities . convergent in birds .
forest biomes are dominated by trees , otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality .
offspring are produced in more than one group ( litters , clutches , etc . ) and across multiple seasons ( or other periods hospitable to reproduction ) . iteroparous animals must , by definition , survive over multiple seasons ( or periodic condition changes ) .
the area in which the animal is naturally found , the region in which it is endemic .
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female ; development of offspring occurs outside the mother ' s body .
referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody ( usually , but not always , a river or stream ) .
a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water , often dominated by woody vegetation .
that region of the earth between 23 . 5 degrees north and 60 degrees north ( between the tropic of cancer and the arctic circle ) and between 23 . 5 degrees south and 60 degrees south ( between the tropic of capricorn and the antarctic circle ) .
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator , from 23 . 5 degrees north to 23 . 5 degrees south .
a terrestrial biome . savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy . extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical africa and south america , and in australia .
a grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees , a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest . see also tropical savanna and grassland biome .
a terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes ( > 23 . 5° n or s latitude ) . vegetation is made up mostly of grasses , the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available . fire and grazing are important in the long - term maintenance of grasslands .
payne , r . 1992 the birds of north america , no . 4 , indigo bunting . a . poole , p . stettenheim , and f . gill , editors .
robbins , bruun , and zim 1983 , a guide to field identification , birds of north america . golden press .
scientific american . 1980 , birds , w . h . freeman and company , san francisco ; p . 68 .
the new encyclopedia britannica , vol . 15 . ! 986 , birds , encyclopedia britannica , inc . chicago ; p . 95 - 96 .
disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .
this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .
see
status
,
confidence level
,
source
for definitions .
confused by a class within a class or an order within an order ? please see our brief essay .
to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 strict / / en
urltoken
thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
del hoyo , j . , collar , n . j . , christie , d . a . , elliott , a . , fishpool , l . d . c . , boesman , p . and kirwan , g . m . 2016 . hbw and birdlife international illustrated checklist of the birds of the world . volume 2 : passerines . lynx edicions and birdlife international , barcelona , spain and cambridge , uk .
justification : this species has an extremely large range , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the range size criterion ( extent of occurrence < 20 , 000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size , habitat extent / quality , or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation ) . the population trend appears to be stable , and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population trend criterion ( > 30 % decline over ten years or three generations ) . the population size is extremely large , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population size criterion ( < 10 , 000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be > 10 % in ten years or three generations , or with a specified population structure ) . for these reasons the species is evaluated as least concern .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
cramp , s . and simmons , k . e . l . ( eds ) . 1977 - 1994 . handbook of the birds of europe , the middle east and africa . the birds of the western palearctic . oxford university press , oxford .
this species has declined over the long term and apparently continues to do so at a moderately rapid rate . it is therefore considered to be near threatened .
. 1999 ) . the global population is estimated to be 3 . 6 million birds ( rich
iñigo - elias et al . 2002 , rich et al . 2003 ) , with the steepest declines in the eastern population .
this species has undergone a small or statistically insignificant decrease over the last 40 years in north america ( data from breeding bird survey and / or christmas bird count : butcher and niven 2007 ) .
. 2002 , phillips lynch 2004 ) , with part of the declines also being attributed to brood - parasitism by brown - headed cowbird . trapping and sale in local markets occurs in mexico , central america and the caribbean , and overseas to international markets in europe , south america and asia ( ramos 1982 ,
conservation actions underway the species is monitored , but no other specific actions are known .
tightly control any ongoing trade in the species . develop an appropriate management strategy to reverse population declines . develop a comprehensive conservation strategy including adaptive harvesting for populations in the caribbean and latin america (
important message you have not enabled javascript . you need to enable it to browse this site . in the near future we will accomodate browsing without the need for javascript . however , browsing will be cumbersome without javascript for this map / data rich site . please contact anantha prasad if you have disabled javascript . please include in the message the reason for disabling it .
the reliability of the model as assessed from the combined outputs of regression tree , bagging trees and randomforest models .
bna account authors : groschupf , kathleen d . , and christopher w . thompson
despite the varied bunting ' s widespread distribution in central mexico , its conspicuous behavior , and its striking male plumage ( a 1901 painting by louis agassiz fuertes is used as a frontispiece for coues 1903 ) , little information is published about the life history of this species . species accounts are anecdotal , and distributional and other information is mostly historical ( e . g . , baird et al . 1875 , ridgway 1901 , van rossem 1931 , brandt 1940 , 1951 ) . there is almost no published information on the natural history of the varied bunting in baja california and its center of distribution , mainland mexico . to provide information for this account , kdg studied varied buntings at chino , rock corral , and montosa canyons in southeastern arizona in august 1992 and may - september 1993 - 1995 . she banded and color - marked 33 adults and 8 nestlings , observed behavior , found nests , and recorded vocalizations . cwt examined egg collections and museum specimens to gain new insight on egg and plumage characteristics .
varied buntings occur from the southern borders of texas , new mexico , and arizona , through mexico , including baja california , to guatemala . they occupy habitat characterized by arid thorn brush at riparian edges , thorn forest , scrubby woodland , and overgrown clearings , and are absent from human residential areas .
varied buntings , however , have larger syllable repertoires , their songs are not stereotyped , and their singing activity depends on rainfall .
breeding in the varied bunting also depends on rainfall . in arizona , when summer rains are delayed , nesting may not begin until august . eggs are polymorphic in color among populations , a rare phenomenon in passerine birds .
there are many ways to contribute—we need species information , photographs , audio , video , translations , maps , distribution data , and bird sightings . there ' s a role for everyone !
) , in neotropical birds online ( t . s . schulenberg , editor ) . cornell lab of ornithology , ithaca , ny , usa . retrieved from neotropical birds online :
this species has an extremely large range , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the range size criterion ( extent of occurrence < 20 , 000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size , habitat extent / quality , or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation ) . despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing , the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population trend criterion ( > 30 % decline over ten years or three generations ) . the population size is extremely large , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population size criterion ( < 10 , 000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be > 10 % in ten years or three generations , or with a specified population structure ) . for these reasons the species is evaluated as least concern .
birdlife is reviewing the status of this species for the 2018 red list . please click here to join the discussion
a crisp , pretty sparrow whose bright rufous cap both provides a splash of color and makes adults fairly easy to identify . chipping sparrows are common across north america wherever trees are interspersed with grassy openings . their loud , trilling songs are one of the most common sounds of spring woodlands and suburbs .
particularly in fall and winter , watch for small flocks of chipping sparrows feeding on open ground near trees . in spring and summer , listen for the male’s long , loud trill , then look for the male in the upper branches of a nearby tree .
chipping sparrows will eat many kinds of birdseed , particularly black oil sunflower seeds from feeders , but also seed mixes scattered on the ground . shrubs or small trees in your yard may entice chipping sparrows to build a nest .
this species often comes to bird feeders . find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the project feederwatch common feeder birds bird list .
the early naturalists had a gift for description you just don’t see anymore . in 1929 , edward forbush called the chipping sparrow “the little brown - capped pensioner of the dooryard and lawn , that comes about farmhouse doors to glean crumbs shaken from the tablecloth by thrifty housewives . ”
in much of the west , chipping sparrows disperse shortly after breeding to move to areas with better food resources . it ' s not unusual to see chipping sparrows on alpine tundra or along roadsides in open grasslands . this results in the common misperception that they bred in those areas , when really they simply moved there to molt .
chipping sparrows typically build their nests low in a shrub or tree , but every once in a while they get creative . people have found their nests among hanging strands of chili peppers , on an old - fashioned mower inside a tool shed , and on a hanging basket filled with moss .
the nest of the chipping sparrow is of such flimsy construction that light can be seen through it . it probably provides little insulation for the eggs and young .
the oldest recorded chipping sparrow was at least 10 years , 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in ontario in 1998 . it had been banded in the same province in 1987 .