Tweet all about it – our Florida grasshopper sparrows enjoyed another highly successful nesting season! Thanks to our four pairs of sparrows and their animal care team, 81 birds hatched this year! Most have been released back to their native range, but we’re still home to some young chicks in our behind-the-scenes habitats who have a little more growing up to do before being released.   

“The success we had this year means that the number of 2024 hatchlings on the native landscape will be higher than last year!” said Kelly Currier, Conservation Coordinator. “The more chicks that can be hatched each year gives us a higher probability of chicks surviving the winter and being present for breeding the following spring.”  

Our Zoo is part of a collaborative conservation effort to save this species with the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Working Group, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, United States Air Force, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Archbold Biological Station.   

This critically endangered species is found only in a few areas of Central and South Florida. About 8 years ago, just over 100 members of their species were found in their natural range. Since starting a conservation breeding program at our Zoo 3 years ago, our resident sparrow pairs have hatched beyond this number!  

Sparrow breeding season typically starts in the spring with our male sparrows kicking things off with some special singing. Their “buzzing” starts a cycle of nest building, egg laying, and baby raising until the chicks are about 21 days old. Once the chicks leave the nest, they move to a new habitat at the Zoo until it’s time for them to be released or move to a partner organization.  

Sparrow pair Ava and Gator again hatched the most chicks with 23 babies. Our conservation team strives to provide them with everything a sparrow family needs to thrive: a secure home, quiet environment, and LOTS of bugs!  

“The only thing we changed this year was increasing the amount of waxworms fed to chicks!” Kelly shared. “We at least doubled the amount mid-season in hopes of having the chicks be a little more robust. It seemed to work!” 

The sparrows will now enjoy a well-earned break before next year’s breeding season begins. This fall, we’ll have a change-up in our pairs. We’ll be saying goodbye to two of our males and bringing in two new males. These pairings have been chosen by a studbook keeper, who studies the genetics of our pairs and the overall population to make these recommendations.  

“Hopefully the pairs get along and like each other so that we can have a successful season next year as well!” Kelly said.  

Special thanks to Flammio Financial Group, Stifel-Garvin Wealth Management Group, Artemis IT, and Jim and Darleen Barfield. Their generosity makes our work possible! 

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.