Sagebrush sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sagebrush sparrow |
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| Adult male | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Artemisiospiza
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| Species: |
nevadensis
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The sagebrush sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) is a small bird, a type of American sparrow. It lives in the western parts of the United States and northwestern Mexico. For a while, scientists thought it belonged to a different group of birds. But new studies in 2007 and 2009 showed it was special enough to have its own group, or genus.
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Where Sagebrush Sparrows Live
Sagebrush sparrows love to live in areas with lots of sagebrush plants. This is how they got their name! They can also be found in other places with low bushes. These include plants like saltbush and chamise. These areas are usually dry and found in the western interior of North America.
Their Home Range
These sparrows make their homes and raise their young in the central Western United States. This area is between the Rocky Mountains and the coastal mountains like the Cascades. When winter comes, they fly south. They spend the colder months in states along the Mexican border. This includes northern parts of Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico.
Threats to Their Home
The places where sagebrush sparrows live are sometimes in danger. This can happen when too many other plants grow there. Sometimes, new plants that don't belong invade their habitat. This makes it harder for the sparrows to find food and shelter.
Sagebrush Sparrow Population
Even though there are many sagebrush sparrows right now, their numbers could drop. This is because their sagebrush homes are disappearing in the west. If their habitat shrinks, fewer sparrows will be able to live there.
For a long time, the sagebrush sparrow was thought to be the same bird as the Bell's sparrow. They were both called the "sage sparrow." But in 2013, bird experts decided they were different species. This decision was made by the American Ornithological Society.
