Botteri's Sparrow

The Botteri's Sparrow, Peucaea botterii, is a medium-sized sparrow that carries the legacy of the ornithologist Matteo Botteri. It is a member of the Passerellidae family, with a modest plumage that belies its distinctiveness.

Identification Tips

This species exhibits the typical sparrow appearance with subtle markings. It is important to note the variations among its subspecies, which include Peucaea botterii arizonae, P. b. botterii, P. b. goldmani, P. b. mexicana, P. b. petenica, P. b. spadiconigrescens, P. b. texana, P. b. vantynei, and P. b. vulcanica.

Habitat

Botteri's Sparrow favors grasslands, showing a particular affinity for the native sacaton grass Sporobolus wrightii. However, it also adapts to stands of introduced non-native grasses like Lehmann lovegrass and Boer lovegrass, albeit with lower population densities.

Distribution

Primarily found in Mexico, Botteri's Sparrow's breeding range extends into the southeastern tip of Arizona, USA. A small, non-migratory population resides in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas.

Behaviour

The recovery of vegetation in Arizona has seen this sparrow become locally common in the region. Juvenile birds rely on dense vegetation for concealment during fledging, indicating the species' dependence on specific grassland habitats for successful breeding.

Conservation status

Botteri's Sparrow is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, the non-migratory population in southern Texas faces threats from habitat loss.