Cape Sable seaside sparrow

bird

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July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) is a subspecies of the seaside sparrow (Ammospiza maritima) found in the Florida Everglades. This bird nests in drier prairie areas of the Everglades, typically from mid-March until summer floods inundate their nests.12

Conservation efforts for the Cape Sable seaside sparrow are significantly impacted by water management practices in the Everglades. Alterations to natural water flow have led to unnatural flooding in some areas during the sparrow's nesting season, drastically reducing populations. Conversely, other areas have become too dry, increasing the risk of fires that also threaten the sparrows. Restoring natural water levels and flows is crucial for the species' survival.2

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conservation
Flood control
…species so affected is the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) found in the Florida Everglades. The Everglades once stretched from Lake Okeechobee in the north to Florida Bay in the south. Water flowed slowly over a wide area, and its levels varied seasonally: summer rains caused the levels…
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…species so affected is the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) found in the Florida Everglades. The Everglades once stretched from Lake Okeechobee in the north to Florida Bay in the south. Water flowed slowly over a wide area, and its levels varied seasonally: summer rains caused the levels…
Read More