Worthen's Sparrow
Spizella wortheni
Very local, scarce, and endangered small sparrow of desert plateau in northeast Mexico. Mainly found in rolling, short-cropped grassland (especially prairie-dog towns), with scattered yuccas and junipers. Forms flocks in winter, mixing readily with other small, rather similar sparrows such as Chipping and Clay-colored sparrows. Note the pink bill, rusty cap, whitish eyering, and dark legs.
Identification
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".<p>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.<p>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.<p>The species is similar in appearance to the field sparrow (Spizella pusilla). However, they differ in plumage, habitat, and song.<p>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.<p>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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spizella wortheni
- Authority
- Ridgway, 1884
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Spizella
Range and habitat
Worthen's sparrow is endemic to northeastern Mexico and currently occupies a 25 km2 range. Populations formerly occurred in Zacatecas, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas; however, presently it is only known to occur from southeastern Coahuila to western Nuevo León.<p>Spizella wortheni prefers open, arid shrub-grassland at elevations of 1,200–2,450 m (3,940–8,040 ft). For foraging, the species prefers open areas with low grasses. For nesting and cover, it usually inhabits low, dense shrubs.<p>In 2004, the population was estimated to be 100–120 individuals.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
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 km2) 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.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Small dove with a dark brown back and pale face and underparts. In flight, the wings show rufous patches. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, thickets, moist woodland, and plantations. Shy understory species that is most often seen on the ground. Song is a long series of hollow “hoo” notes with a stuttering start and a long, even end. Separated from wood-doves by its darker back and paler face and underparts.
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Cinnyris frenatus
Tiny and active sunbird of forest edges, parks, and gardens; ranges from Sulawesi east to the northern Moluccas, New Guinea, and northeastern Australia. Both sexes have a plain olive back, a yellow belly, and white tail edges that are flared out in flight. The male flashes an iridescent blue throat while the female has a yellow throat and eyebrow. In parts of range, female Sahul may be confused with female Black Sunbird; note that species’ unmarked gray head and shorter, less curved bill. Gives a buzzy, twittering song, as well as a rising “dwee”, a familiar sound even in cities. Formerly grouped with other, closely related species under “Olive-backed Sunbird.”
Green Malkoha
Ceuthmochares australis
Odd, dark, green-and-gray cuckoo with a bright yellow bill. Found in thick habitats including forest, forest edge, and thickets. Skulks in the thickest parts of the mid-story, especially preferring vine tangles. Call starts with a hesitant series of high “kik” notes, eventually followed by a long, accelerating trill. Dark coloration and yellow bill are distinctive. Range does not overlap with the similar Blue Malkoha.
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