Yellow-browed Sparrow

Overview

The yellow-browed sparrow (Ammodramus aurifrons) is a small American sparrow in the family Passerellidae found across much of the Amazon basin in South America. It is one of nine species in the genus Ammodramus and is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Small bird measuring 13 cm (5 in) in length with a mass between 14.5 and 19 g (0.5 and 0.7 oz).
• Upperparts are brownish gray with dusky streaks, while underparts are whitish, shading to grayish on the chest and buff on the flanks.
• Features a horn-colored bill with a darker culmen, pinkish-brown legs, and reddish-brown irises.
• Distinguished from the similar grassland sparrow by being overall paler, less streaked, and lacking chestnut edges to the flight feathers.
• Singing is high-pitched, monotonous, and buzzy, transcribed as 'tic, tzzz-tzzzzz'.

Habitat

Found in subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, pastureland, and heavily degraded former forest across the Amazon biome. Although formerly associated with rivers and islands, it now occupies a wide range of grassy areas, including agricultural fields, roadsides, and areas around towns. It is generally found in lowlands but can occur up to 1,000 m on the east side of the Andes and occasionally up to 2,000 m in Ecuador.

Diet

Largely granivorous, feeding on the seeds of native grasses and various introduced plants. It also consumes insects, including larvae, and typically forages on the ground.

Did you know?

The species name aurifrons is a combination of the Latin words auri meaning 'gold' and frons meaning 'forehead' or 'front', referring to the yellow colouring on its face. The genus name Ammodramus translates to 'desert runner' or 'desert racer', derived from Greek words for 'desert' and 'racer'.