Rufous-crowned Sparrow

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow, a small American sparrow, is distinguished by its rufous crown and a face marked with gray, brown, or rufous streaks extending from each eye, complemented by a thick black malar streak. Its back is brown with darker streaks, and the underparts are gray. The wings are short and rounded, lacking wingbars, and the tail is long and rounded. Both sexes are similar in plumage, though juveniles sport a brown crown and streaked breast and flanks in spring and autumn.

Identification Tips

When observing this species, look for the characteristic rufous or chestnut crown, which is the source of its name. Some subspecies may exhibit a gray streak down the center of the crown. The bill is yellow and cone-shaped, and the legs and feet are pink-gray. The bird's throat is white with a dark stripe, and its size is modest, averaging around 5.25 inches in length.

Habitat

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow inhabits open oak woodlands, dry uplands with grassy vegetation and bushes, often near rocky outcroppings. It is also found in coastal scrublands and chaparral areas, thriving in open spaces cleared by burning.

Distribution

This non-migratory species is found across the Southwestern United States and much of the interior of Mexico, with a patchy distribution and isolated populations. Its range extends from sea level up to 9,800 feet, predominantly between 3,000 and 6,000 feet.

Behaviour

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow is territorial, with males defending their territory through song and displays. Flight is somewhat awkward, and the bird prefers to hop along the ground. It is monogamous, often forming long-term pair bonds, and breeds in the spring.

Song & Calls

The song is a bubbly series of chip notes, sometimes accelerating towards the end. Calls include a nasal "chur" and a thin "tsi." When threatened or separated from its mate, the sparrow emits a "dear-dear-dear" call.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in sparsely vegetated scrubland, with males singing from the edges of their territories to attract mates. The female constructs a well-hidden, cup-shaped nest on the ground or in low bushes, laying 2-5 pale bluish-white eggs. Incubation lasts 11-13 days, with the female exclusively brooding the young.

Similar Species

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow can be confused with other sparrows, but its rufous crown and distinctive facial markings, along with its habitat preferences, help differentiate it.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of seeds in winter and insects in spring and summer. The sparrow forages on or near the ground under shrubs or dense grasses, rarely in the open. It may forage in small family groups or mixed-species flocks in winter.

Conservation Status

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow is classified as Least Concern, with an estimated population of 2.4 million individuals. However, some subspecies are threatened by habitat destruction, and one may be extinct. Urbanization and agricultural development, as well as potential impacts from pesticides, pose challenges for certain populations.