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
Content
Description General Info
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
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 is primarily found in arid upland grasslands interspersed with mesquite, juniper, and yucca vegetation. This species thrives in ecotones between gypsophilous grasslands and desert scrub habitat featuring a diversity of flora, including tarbush, wolfberry, saltbush, and creosote bush. Sparse shrubs and cacti, such as tree cholla and Opuntia, along with a mix of other plants, are also characteristic of its preferred environment. Worthen's Sparrow inhabits areas at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2450 meters and may also be found in overgrown maize fields, avoiding overgrazed pastures in favor of those with taller vegetation.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
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.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
New world sparrows Genus
Spizella Sparrows Species
Worthen's Sparrow 
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