Savannah occurred in transition zones between grasslands and forest, although the extent of savannah varied temporally and spatially with climatic conditions and other ecological influences. Vegetation patterns were influenced primarily by fire, many of which in recent centuries apparently were set by Amerindians. This bird formerly was common in this physiographic area but is now extirpated in Ohio and Indiana. It occurs in low numbers in Illinois and Missouri, and is subject to the negative biological effects linked to small isolated populations. Loss of grassland acreage as well as fragmentation and deterioration of grassland landscapes are to blame.
Percentage is for eastern subspecies.
This is one of the most conspicuous avifaunal elements of the savanna habitat that has all but disappeared from this area. All forest birds presumably underwent their greatest declines here well before the BBS began. Populations appear to be low and studies show that reproductive success is below that needed to sustain populations. The appearance of stability results from immigration of birds from source populations in more heavily forested physiographic areas. Soon after European settlement, the vast majority of grassland, savannah, and forest were converted to pasture, hayfield, and cropland.