Rufous-winged Sparrow

Overview

The rufous-winged sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows, native to Mexico and the United States. It is a primarily year-round resident that inhabits arid environments, though it avoids the driest parts of the desert. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its population is estimated to be decreasing.

Identification

• Approximately 15 cm long, with sexes sharing the same plumage; features two wide rufous streaks on the crown separated by a thin grayish line, and rufous wing coverts that give the species its name.
• Brown iris, a brown bill with a paler lower mandible, and light brown legs and feet.
• Highly variable song sung primarily by males, described as an accelerating series of chips followed by a rapid trill, along with calls such as 'tzeet', 'tzlip', and 'pip'.

Habitat

Found from Tucson, Arizona, south to northern Sinaloa in Mexico, including areas around the Gulf of California. It inhabits Sonoran and Sinaloan deserts, specifically mesquite grasslands, grassy thorn scrub, and riparian areas such as mangroves and irrigation channels. The species prefers thornbush and mixed bunchgrass but shuns the driest desert conditions.

Diet

Feeds on seeds and both larval and adult arthropods, with a heavier reliance on seeds during the non-breeding season. Foraging occurs mostly on the ground by gleaning, though it hawks insects and feeds in shady shrubs during the summer.

Did you know?

The female builds a deep cup nest mostly from grass that sometimes incorporates horse or other hair, placing it in the fork or crotch of shrubs such as mesquite, cactus, hackberry, and palo verde. Despite being the sole incubator, she is aided by her mate in provisioning the nestlings.