Sagebrush Sparrow
Artemisiospiza nevadensis
Pale, subtly-patterned sparrow. Sandy-brown overall with gray head and whitish breast with dark central spotting. Very similar to Bell’s Sparrow and once considered the same species. Sagebrush Sparrow is usually paler and less contrasty overall. Also look for Sagebrush's relatively indistinct and narrow dark mustache stripe and distinct dark streaks on pale brown back. Found in shrubby expanses of sagebrush in western North America (more extensive range than Bell’s, essentially only overlapping in winter). Perches up conspicuously when singing; otherwise stays low and hidden. Frequently runs on the ground, often with tail cocked up. Song is a jumble of mechanical, musical notes, slower than Bell's Sparrow.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Artemisiospiza nevadensis
- Authority
- (Ridgway, 1874)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Artemisiospiza
Range and habitat
Sagebrush sparrows are indeed often tied to sagebrush habitats, although they can also be found in brushy stands of saltbush, chamise, and other low shrubs of the arid interior west.<p>The species breeds in the interior of the Western United States (between the Rocky Mountains and the coastal ranges such as the Cascades). It winters in the Mexican-border states and northern Sonora and Chihuahua.<p>The habitat of sagebrush sparrows is frequently threatened by woody plant encroachment or the invasion of herbaceous plants.
- Breeding range
- NA : wc USA
- Non-breeding range
- sw USA and n Mexico
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Cook Islands Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus rarotongensis
A colorful dove with a bright green body, a light gray neck and chest, a yellow undertail, and a gray tip to the tail. Most obvious features are the bright magenta forehead and chest blotch. Pacific Imperial-Pigeon is much larger, with an entirely silver neck and head and no magenta patches. Unlikely to be confused with any other species. Gives a long series of typical dove-like accelerating and shortening “coo” calls.
Sickle-winged Nightjar
Eleothreptus anomalus
While perched, appears to be an unassuming nightjar: rather small, short-tailed, and largely gray with dark brown spots. In flight, males are spectacular, with unique flight feathers forming the “sickle” wing shape. Females lack these modified wing feathers. Usually found close to water, around gallery forest; in some areas also in grassland and marshes. The call is a repetition of very subtle “chip” notes.
Savile's Bustard
Lophotis savilei
Fairly small bustard of dry country. The male has a buff crest that is usually hidden, and both sexes have a black belly. In flight, shows a black outer wing and brown inner wing separated by a white line. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub habitat. The distinctive vocalization is a ringing introductory note followed by a quick series of whistles. Similar to male Black-bellied Bustard, but smaller, and lacks a black line along the throat.
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