Rufous-winged Sparrow
Peucaea carpalis
Subtly marked sparrow with a poor name; "rufous wing" is restricted to a tiny, barely visible patch on the shoulder. Gray head and neck with peaked rufous crown and rufous eyeline. Stout pink bill. Sides are buff and unstreaked on adults. Back and wings are also buffy with fine markings. Paler throat is edged with thin dark lines. Primarily a Mexican species with very limited range in the U.S.; found in pairs or small flocks in brushy grasslands. Variable song usually composed of a few clear tinkling notes and trills.
Identification
The back is brown with darker streaks, while the belly is pale gray. The wings and crown are rust-colored. This sparrow has a conical, yellow-based bill and a long brown tail.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Peucaea carpalis
- Authority
- Coues, 1873
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Peucaea
Range and habitat
Peucaea carpalis is a year-round resident from south-central Arizona and Guadalupe Canyon, New Mexico, south to northern Sinaloa, Mexico.<p>The rufous-winged sparrow inhabits desert grasslands with scattered mesquite or cholla. It also occurs in washes with sandy bottoms and vegetated slopes, brushy irrigation ditches, and creeks bordered by broad-leaved trees, mesquite, grasses, and forbs.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue-winged Racquet-tail
Prioniturus verticalis
A rare medium-sized parrot of lowland forest and edge on the Sulu Islands, possibly only remaining on Tawi-Tawi. The two central tail feathers have extended shafts ending in a racket shape. Overall green in color, darker on the back and paler below, with deeper green on the head and a pale bill. Male has a red-and-blue crown patch, but female’s patch is only blue. Occurs together with Blue-naped and Azure-rumped Parrots, but smaller, with a small pale bill. Voice includes various nasal squawks and grating calls.
Jamaican Euphonia
Euphonia jamaica
A very small and active inhabitant of most wooded habitats and gardens where it forages mostly on fruits and flowers. Note this species’ short, stubby bill, and mostly gray head and underparts. The Orangequit is somewhat similar but is readily distinguished by its longer and slightly curved bill. Additionally, male Orangequits are darker gray and have an orange throat, while female Orangequits have brown upperparts. Song is rapid-fire jumble of squeaks, whistles, and buzzes. The call note is a sharp “tseet.” Jamaican Euphonias also give a scratchy, squeaky “bao,” which is given singly, in series, or interjected into songs.
Black-streaked Puffbird
Malacoptila fulvogularis
Elegant medium-sized bird found in the mid-story of humid montane forest. Has a large head and a chunky body, with a fluffy appearance. Dark brown, with extensive bold white streaking throughout the head and body, though its wings are only lightly streaked. Look also for its buffy tan throat and white facial crescent shown on some individuals. Found singly or in pairs, and will usually remain quite still as it is perched, occasionally sallying out to go after prey. Usually found on its own, but occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Listen for a piercing, high, slightly descending whistle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.