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Black-throated sparrow facts for kids

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Black-throated sparrow
Amphispiza bilineataPCCA20050311-5951B.jpg
Amphispiza bilineata.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Amphispiza
Species:
bilineata
Amphispiza bilineata map.svg

The black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) is a small New World sparrow primarily found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is sometimes referred to as the desert sparrow, due to its preferred habitat of arid desert hillsides and scrub. This name usually refers to the desert sparrow of Africa and Asia.

Description

Measurements:

  • Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
  • Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (11-15 g)
  • Wingspan: 7.7 in (19.5 cm)

The black-throated sparrow is pale gray above, with a distinctive black and white head pattern. Immature birds are similar but lack a black throat. Its call is high and bell-like, and its song is a fairly simple, mechanical tinkling. It feeds primarily on insects and seeds, and travels in small groups, though larger groups may accumulate around sources of water in the desert.

It has a loose nest of grass twigs and plant fibers carefully hidden in brush 6–18 inches (15–46 cm) above the ground. Three or four white or pale blue eggs are laid.

  • David Allen Sibley, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. ISBN: 0-679-45121-8

See also

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