Grassland Sparrow
Ammodramus humeralis
Small sparrow with a short tail found in grasslands including agricultural areas with grassy edges. Brownish gray above with heavy dark streaks and brownish wings, and plain gray-buff below. Note the short yellow eyebrow that does not reach beyond the eye. Usually sings a series of soft buzzy whistles from fence posts or shrubs.
Identification
The grassland sparrow is a robust species with a large head and a short tail, with a total length of about 13 cm (5 in). The wings are short and the legs fairly long. The upper parts are brownish-grey streaked with black. The breast and flanks are greyish-buff or pinkish-buff and the underparts are dull white. There is a narrow white eye-ring, and a spot of yellow on the lores and another on the bend of the wing. The song is a high-pitched but thin series of plaintive phrases, "eee, telee, teeeee". This bird is similar in appearance to the yellow-browed sparrow, but that has more yellow on the face and the voice is quite distinct.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ammodramus humeralis
- Authority
- (Bosc, 1792)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Ammodramus
Range and habitat
This sparrow is native to the western half of South America. Its range includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. Its typical habitat is tall savannah grassland, but it also inhabits pastureland and cerrado. It is present in lowland areas and at altitudes of up to 1,100 m (3,600 ft), possibly higher in southern Venezuela.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
A "secretive" bird, this species feeds on the ground and flits away into the vegetation if disturbed. It can be observed when singing from an elevated perch, and feeds out in the open in the early morning and late evening. The diet consists of grass and other seeds, and small insects are also eaten, particularly during the breeding season. The nest is cup-shaped and built on the ground, with a runway through the foliage leading to it.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Western Bowerbird
Chlamydera guttata
A dark, brownish, mottled, strongly marked bowerbird with warm brown tones overall and a small pink crest on the nape. Inhabits woodland habitat, and often near fig trees in rocky gorges. Can also be found in gardens and urban parks within its range. Males decorate their avenue bowers with pale objects such as small bones and shells. Very similar to but darker than Spotted Bowerbird. Note range. Western Bowerbird is found in central Australia and parts of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Loud calls include hisses and rasping squawks.
Black-capped Vireo
Vireo atricapilla
Small vireo with distinctive black head and bold white spectacles surrounding a red eye. Otherwise greenish above with white underparts, yellowish sides and two yellow wingbars. Females and immatures slightly duller than adult males. Found in shrubby habitats with oak and juniper, especially on hillsides. Migrates south to Mexico for the winter. Endangered; populations especially threatened by Brown-headed Cowbird nest parasitism.
Lafresnaye's Vanga
Xenopirostris xenopirostris
Large, big-billed vanga with white underparts. Males have a black hood, and females only a black cap. Madagascar endemic that is found in low-elevation spiny forest. Can be found solo or in pairs, sometimes in flocks with other vangas. Most common vocalizations are quick, sharp whistles and a “chi-che-che” scold. Separated from Van Dam’s and Pollen’s Vangas by range. Separated from Madagascar Cuckooshrike by much larger bill and white rather than gray underparts.
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