Grasslands in the Northern Prairie region support a diverse assemblage of migrant birds and facilitate fattening during migratory stopover.

This article focuses on the use of grasslands as stopover habitats for migratory birds in southeastern South Dakota, assessing bird diversity and the quality of reconstructed tallgrass prairies for refueling during migration. Surveys revealed that both cool-season (primarily non-native) and warm-season (primarily native) grasslands support a variety of bird species, including grassland specialists and habitat generalists, with warm-season sites generally exhibiting higher species richness and bird densities. Plasma metabolite analyses of birds captured in a reconstructed tallgrass prairie indicated triglyceride and β-hydroxybutyrate levels consistent with successful fattening, suggesting these habitats provide adequate food resources for migration. The study highlights the importance of diverse, structurally heterogeneous grasslands, including restored prairies, as critical stopover sites for migratory birds, particularly declining grassland species, and underscores the need for targeted conservation and management strategies along migratory routes.