As a result, management of grassland areas is best directed toward the creation of a mosaic of grassland habitat types. This habitat mosaic is probably best maintained through some type of rotational management system in which sections of large grassland areas receive management on a regular schedule. Such a rotational system would provide a variety of habitat types in every year, would ensure the availability of suitable habitat for birds at either end of the grassland management spectrum, and also would provide habitat for birds whose preferences lie between these extremes. Historically, the agents principally responsible for maintaining grassland habitats were drought, grazing by native herbivores, and fire. Grassland habitats are occupied by a small number of uniquely adapted bird species.
Most species select a particular suite of habitat features.
Some grassland species are more abundant on recently burned or grazed grasslands, whereas others are more abundant on undisturbed or idle grasslands. Also, habitat preferences can vary throughout the range of a species. Because of these differences in habitat preferences, and because of regional differences in soils and floristics, the response of a particular species to a specific grassland management prescription may be variable. During the past quarter century, grassland birds have experienced steeper, more consistent, and more widespread population declines than any other avian guild in North America. While some grassland species are Neotropical migrants, most are short-distance migrants that winter primarily in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico.