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Worthen's Sparrow

A species of Spizella Sparrows
Scientific name : Spizella wortheni Genus : Spizella Sparrows

Worthen's Sparrow, A species of Spizella Sparrows
Botanical name: Spizella wortheni
Genus: Spizella Sparrows
Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) Photo By Annika Lindqvist , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Description

Spizella wortheni can range in length from 12.5 to 14 cm. It is identifiable by its distinctive head pattern. It has a grey head with a rufous crown, a brown postocular stripe and a pink bill. It has grey-brown upperparts, with dark brown streaks. It has a grey bottom, and dark brown wings and tail. Its wings are "edged paler, with broad whitish to pale buff wing-bar, buffy-rufous tertial and secondary edging, and greyish lesser coverts". Juveniles are characterized by brownish colouration of the head and chest, with dusky streaking on the head and dark brown streaking on the chest and flanks. The song is a dry, chipping trill of 2–3 seconds duration and is described as a cross between that of the field sparrow and that of the chipping sparrow. The species is similar in appearance to the field sparrow (Spizella pusilla). However, they differ in plumage, habitat, and song. The species nests from May to July and usually lays three or four eggs. Single-species flocks form after the breeding season and are strongly attracted to permanent sources of water. The species is not migratory; however, a few sightings of individuals have taken place throughout the northwestern region of Mexico. Only one individual has ever been identified (shot) in the United States, and it was by Rieber on June 16, 1884, near Silver City, New Mexico. This individual, the first of the species to be described, is the type specimen.
Size
14 cm
Life Expectancy
10 years
Nest Placement
Shrub
Feeding Habits
Worthen's Sparrow predominantly feeds on seeds during the winter, complementing its diet with a variety of plant-based items and insects, including moths and spiders. This bird forages for food on the ground with distinctive feeding behaviors.
Habitat
Worthen's Sparrow inhabits arid upland grasslands, typically with mesquite, juniper, and yucca, thriving in ecotones near desert scrub. Its environment includes a flora mix of tarbush, wolfberry, saltbush, creosote bush, sparse shrubs, cacti, and varied plants. Found at altitudes of 1200 to 2450 meters, worthen's Sparrow also occupies overgrown maize fields, favoring areas with taller vegetation and avoiding overgrazed pastures.
Dite type
Granivorous

General Info

Feeding Habits

Bird food type
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Small Hopper
Ground

Species Status

The major threat to this species is habitat destruction. The grassland Worthen's sparrow is specific to has progressively been ploughed for agriculture and grazing. Currently there is a conservation effort being coordinated by the Bird Conservation Alliance and other organizations to protect the Saltillo Savanna in Mexico. The program, known as the Mexican Grasslands Appeal, seeks to purchase over 1,000 acres (4.0 km) of prime grassland habitat to protect and save this last great North American grassland. By protecting this area, the appeal will conserve habitat for the Worthen's sparrow, long-billed curlew, burrowing owl, mountain plover, Sprague's pipit, and ferruginous hawk.
Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) Photo By Annika Lindqvist , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
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