Bell's Sparrow
A species of Sage sparrows, Also known as Bell's Sage Sparrow Scientific name : Artemisiospiza belli Genus : Sage sparrows
Bell's Sparrow, A species of Sage sparrows
Also known as:
Bell's Sage Sparrow
Botanical name: Artemisiospiza belli
Genus: Sage sparrows
Content
Description General Info
Description
Bell's sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli) is a medium-sized sparrow of the western United States and northwestern Mexico. It used to be placed in the genus Amphispiza, but recent evidence suggested it be placed in its own genus. Four populations are resident to the west: subspecies canescens breeds in south-central California, the dark nominate subspecies belli in the California Coast Ranges and part of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada south to about 29°N in Baja California, the equally dark subspecies clementeae limited to San Clemente Island, and subspecies cinerea in western Baja California from 29°N to 26°45′N. The AOU now considers Bell's sparrow a separate species, formerly grouped with the sagebrush sparrow, and together previously known as the sage sparrow. 
Size
16 cm (6.25 in)
Life Expectancy
6-9.1 years
Nest Placement
Shrub
Clutch Size
1 - 4 eggs
Incubation Period
1 - 3 broods
Number of Broods
10 - 16 days
Nestling Period
9 - 10 days
Feeding Habits
Bell's Sparrow consumes seeds and insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, alongside spiders and small fruits. They mainly forage for seeds from grasses and plants like pigweed and mustard during the nonbreeding season.
Habitat
Bell's Sparrow are typically found in open, shrubby habitats within North American regions such as coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and deserts. These birds prefer areas at varied elevations, from sea level to mountainous terrains, particularly thriving in environments with younger, regenerating vegetation post-fire events. They are less likely to inhabit dense, mature stands. Preferred vegetation includes big sagebrush, saltbush, bitterbrush, shadscale, creosote bush, yucca, honey mesquite, and greasewood. During migration and winter, bell's Sparrow sometimes join loose flocks with other sparrows in dry shrublands or grasslands.
Nest Behavior
Bell's Sparrow females build the nests in preparation for egg-laying. After constructing the nest, they lay eggs and, along with their mate, participate in parental care, nurturing the eggs and subsequent young.
Nest Characteristics
Bell's Sparrow's nests are primarily located in shrubs, bunchgrasses, or on the ground under vegetation. They consist of an open cup made from twigs, coarse grasses, and lined with finer materials such as feathers, wool, and animal hair, measuring roughly 4 inches wide by 2 inches deep.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Ground
Behavior
Bell's Sparrow predominantly engage in ground foraging beneath dense shrubbery, displaying a preference for running over flying. They exhibit a distinctive behavior of cocking or flicking their tails upward. During spring and early summer, the male bell's Sparrows are particularly noticeable as they sing from shrub tops, quickly returning to ground foraging and mate-guarding post-performance. Predation threats to their nests and young include Loggerhead Shrikes, Common Ravens, ground squirrels, and potentially Greater Roadrunners.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
New world sparrows Genus
Sage sparrows Species
Bell's Sparrow 
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