Like the related Henslow's Sparrow, this species is fairly shy and secretive. It is relatively more common across its range, but the majority of the population may not travel through the mountains.

A "waste area" field in Townsend, Tennessee, was found to be especially rich in late autumn sparrows in 2000, with at least one report of this species being sighted, but that field was converted into a shopping area in 2001. Cades Cove would seem the most likely place for more sightings of this species in the area. The very similar Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni Allen) has yet to be detected in the park, but was present in the late fall in Townsend in 1999 and is expected to be a rare visitor to the park in the same low-elevation brushy grasslands.

References:

Gough, G. A., Sauer, J. R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.