Zapata sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zapata sparrow |
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| T. i. varonai Cayo Romano, Cuba |
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Torreornis
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inexpectata
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The Zapata sparrow (its scientific name is Torreornis inexpectata) is a special bird. It is a medium-sized bird with grey and yellow feathers. This sparrow lives in the grassy areas of the Zapata Swamp and other parts of Cuba.
It is about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) long. The bird's body is mostly grey and yellow. It has a dark reddish-brown top of its head. Its upper feathers are olive-grey.
Contents
Where the Zapata Sparrow Lives
The Zapata sparrow lives only in Cuba. This means it is an endemic bird to the island. You won't find it living naturally anywhere else in the world!
History of Discovery
A Spanish animal expert named Fermín Zanón Cervera found this bird. He discovered it in March 1927. This happened near Santo Tomás in the Zapata Swamp.
Later that year, two American scientists officially described the bird. They were Thomas Barbour, who studied reptiles and amphibians, and James Lee Peters, who studied birds.
Mr. Barbour had visited Cuba with Cervera before. When he heard about strange birds in the Zapata area, he asked Cervera to explore. This led to the discovery of the Zapata sparrow.
Since then, two more groups of these sparrows have been found. One group lives on Cayo Coco island in Camagüey Province. The other lives in a coastal area in Guantánamo Province. Because the bird is not only in Zapata, some people suggest calling it the Cuban sparrow.
Types of Zapata Sparrows
Scientists have found that Zapata sparrows from different places look a little different. They also live in different kinds of places. Because of these differences, each group is called a different "race" or subspecies.
- The Zapata race, called T. i. inexpectana, lives in large areas of sawgrass savannas.
- The Cayo Coco race, T. i. varonai, looks similar. But it lives in forests and bushes.
- The eastern race, T. i. sigmani, is a bit duller in color. It lives in dry areas with thorny bushes and cacti.
What the Zapata Sparrow Sounds Like
The Zapata sparrow has a unique song. It sounds like a "metallic high-pitched trill." You might hear it say "tziii-tzziii-tzziii" over and over. It also makes quiet "tic-tic-tic" sounds.
What the Zapata Sparrow Eats
During the dry season, the Zapata sparrows in the Zapata Swamp mostly eat seeds and flowers. They also enjoy insects, spiders, snails, and snail eggs. When the wet season comes, these sparrows are known to eat small lizards. Scientists believe they lay eggs and raise their young between March and June.
Protecting the Zapata Sparrow
The Zapata sparrow faces several dangers.
- Wildfires are a big threat, especially in the dry season.
- People draining wetlands also harms their homes.
- Their habitat is being destroyed for farming and tourism.
It is important to protect these areas so the Zapata sparrow can continue to thrive.
Images for kids
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Map showing where the Zapata sparrow lives in Cuba.
See also
In Spanish: Cabrerito de la ciénaga para niños
