Black-striped Sparrow

The Black-striped Sparrow, known scientifically as Arremonops conirostris, is a passerine bird that graces the New World with its presence. This species is a modestly sized bird, measuring approximately 16.5 cm in length and weighing around 37.5 g. The adult is particularly striking with its grey head, adorned with bold black stripes on either side of the crown and a narrower black stripe through each eye. The bird's upperparts are a rich olive, accented with a touch of yellow at the bend of the wing, while the underparts are a muted white, transitioning to grey on the breast sides and to olive on the lower belly. Juveniles can be distinguished by their brown-striped, yellower heads, brownish-olive upperparts, and yellow-olive underparts.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Black-striped Sparrow, look for the distinctive head pattern with its broad black stripes and the olive upperparts. The yellow on the wing bend is also a helpful marker. The bird's size and the unique coloration of its plumage make it distinguishable from other species in its habitat.

Habitat

The Black-striped Sparrow favors humid lowlands and foothills, thriving at altitudes up to 1,500 meters. It is commonly found in semi-open habitats, including thickets, young secondary growth, overgrown fields, shady plantations, and gardens.

Distribution

This species has a broad range, extending from eastern Honduras through to western Ecuador, northern Brazil, and Venezuela.

Behaviour

The Black-striped Sparrow is a mainly terrestrial bird, often seen in pairs but never in flocks. It is known for its shy and retiring nature, preferring to keep to itself.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Black-striped Sparrow includes a metallic "churk" call. The male's song is a delightful composition of whistles and slurred notes, "tsweet-tsweet tsweet-tswee ti-ti-ti," culminating in a trill. It is worth noting that the song varies geographically.

Breeding

The female Black-striped Sparrow is responsible for constructing the large, domed nest, which is made from coarse plant material and features a wide side entrance. Typically, the nest is situated less than 1 meter above the ground in dense vegetation, although it can occasionally be found as high as 1.8 meters. The clutch usually consists of two, sometimes three, unmarked white eggs. The female alone incubates these eggs for a period of 12 to 14 days before they hatch.

Similar Species

The Black-striped Sparrow bears a resemblance to the Olive Sparrow but is larger in size. Additionally, their ranges do not overlap, which aids in distinguishing between the two.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Black-striped Sparrow is varied, including insects, spiders, and seeds foraged on the ground. It also feeds on berries and invertebrates plucked from low bushes.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Black-striped Sparrow as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.