Saffron-billed sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saffron-billed sparrow |
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| In Piraju, São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Arremon |
| Species: |
A. flavirostris
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| Binomial name | |
| Arremon flavirostris Swainson, 1838
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The saffron-billed sparrow (Arremon flavirostris) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the family of New World sparrows. You can find this bird in parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
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Meet the Saffron-Billed Sparrow
This bird gets its name from its amazing bright orange beak! The adult male has a mostly black head. It has a white stripe above its eye that goes to the back of its head. Its neck is gray, and its back, wings, and tail are green. The underside of its body is white with gray edges. It also has a thin black band across its upper chest.
Female saffron-billed sparrows look similar to males but are a bit duller in color. Their undersides are a buffy (light brownish-yellow) color with brown sides. Young sparrows look like adults but are also less colorful. These birds are about 15 to 16.5 centimeters (6 to 6.5 inches) long. They weigh about 23.6 to 28.1 grams (0.8 to 1 ounce).
Where Do They Live?
The saffron-billed sparrow lives in different parts of South America. One group, called the nominate subspecies, lives in central and eastern Brazil. Another group, known as the "gray-backed" subspecies, lives further south. You can find them in central and southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, most of Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.
These sparrows mostly live in tropical forests where trees lose their leaves during dry seasons. They like both old, untouched forests and newer forests that have grown back. You can often spot them near the edges of forests, in open areas inside the forest, or along rivers and streams. They live from sea level up to about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) high.
What Do They Eat?
Scientists are still learning a lot about what the saffron-billed sparrow eats. But we know their diet includes fruits, grains, and insects. They likely find their food on or near the ground.
What Sounds Do They Make?
The saffron-billed sparrow has a unique song! It's a quick series of notes. Some people describe it as "tsit, tsee-tsi-tsi, tseép-seép-tseép." Others say it sounds like "sidsidlidsidlsidli." Their call is a short, insect-like "tseet." They usually sing and call from the ground or very close to it.
Are They Safe?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says the saffron-billed sparrow is a species of "Least Concern." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. Even though we don't know the exact number of these birds, their population seems to be stable. They live in a very large area and can even live in forests that have been broken up into smaller pieces.
 | Roy Wilkins |
 | John Lewis |
 | Linda Carol Brown |
