Saving the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow

Endemic to marl prairie habitats within the southern Everglades, the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow is delicate to delicate shifts in water ranges: Nesting success calls for dry sufficient floor in the course of the February–August breeding window. Over time, altered water stream from water management infrastructure and excessive water ranges have positioned extreme stress on its habitat, particularly in subpopulation A, which continues a downward pattern at the same time as different sparrow subpopulations (B by F) have proven relative stability or modest enchancment (see map).

In accordance with current projections, the sparrow’s whole inhabitants stands at simply 2,176 people, with solely 136 grownup males recognized. Such low figures underscore the fragility of this already small inhabitants and the slim margin for error in habitat administration. The strongest of those populations are sadly essentially the most weak to sea stage rise within the near-term, and the hen’s long-term survival will rely on relocation to appropriate marl prairie elsewhere within the Everglades. It will require breeding in captivity to provide the people for relocation, a course of akin to the current profitable releases of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows within the Northern Everglades. With a inhabitants this small nonetheless, there isn’t a time to waste.

In a decisive transfer towards larger safety in late 2024, the South Florida Water Administration District authorized a five-year pilot conservation breeding program for the sparrow, backed by an preliminary funding dedication of $584,322. The concept is to take away a small variety of birds into managed situations to function an “assurance” inhabitants. This is able to permit for translocation to an recognized appropriate marl prairie habitat. As well as, Audubon labored along with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to accumulate extra federal funding for this program through Senator Moody’s workplace within the Inside Report. Earlier this summer time, Zoo Miami introduced that it will be the lead for this system and function the breeding location.

That stated, conservation breeding is considered by Audubon not as an answer, itself, however as a bridge whereas habitat, water stream, and ecosystem restoration proceed. Relocating may also scale back pressure between restoring pure water flows and defending sparrow nesting habitat. Audubon will proceed to work with the Zoo and different companions as this strikes ahead, making use of classes realized from the profitable Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Conservation Breeding program.

This text unique appeared within the Fall 2025 State of the Everglades report. Learn the complete report here.