ID Keys: Rufous-striped crown, small patch of rufous on lesser
coverts of wing, streaks on back, fine brown stripe behind eye, dark
throat stripe
The
Rufous-winged Sparrow was one of the last North American species to be
named, with the first identification made in 1872. They are only found
in a quite small geographic range, in the arid southwestern U.S. and
northwestern Mexico. Unlike some other sparrow species in the arid
southwest, Rufous-winged Sparrows shun areas without a good cover of
vegetation, as they strongly prefer areas with thick grasses, or sometimes
shrubs.
Habitat
Found in areas of dense grass, often with scattered shrubs as well. They can also sometimes be found in suburban area that are heavily vegetated.
Diet
Feeds mostly on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates during the summer months, but will also feed on seeds. The diet in the winter may consist mostly of seeds.
Behavior
Forages by walking and hoping along the ground, or clambering through vegetation close to the ground. They will also occasionally fly up to capture flying insects.
Nesting
The nest of a Rufous-winged Sparrow is a deep cup of grasses, weeds, and twigs, often lined with animal hair. It is built in a dense shrub or cactus, often very close to the ground. The female lays 3 or 4 eggs, and the female alone incubates them. After the eggs hatch, both parents feed the young. The young leave the nest after about 10 days.
Song
The song of a Rufous-winged Sparrow is a series of accelerating, clear chip notes, sometimes ending in a trill.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident throughout their normal range, although post-breeding, some birds may move short distances.
In range most likely to be confused with the Chipping Sparrow , Brewer's Sparrow , Rufous-crowned Sparrow , or Cassin's Sparrow. The Rufous-winged Sparrow is best identified by its rich rufous shoulder patches, gray face with a dark eye line, and relatively plain gray underparts. Chipping Sparrow is smaller and slimmer with a bright rusty cap, crisp black eye line, and no rufous wing patches, while Brewer's Sparrow appears very plain-faced and streaky without strong head markings or chestnut tones. Rufous-crowned Sparrow shows a solid rusty crown rather than rusty wings, and Cassin's Sparrow is paler and buffier overall with fine streaking and a much subtler face pattern.
Conservation Status
The Rufous-winged Sparrow has a limited range in the desert grasslands and thornscrub of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and while numbers are generally stable overall, habitat loss from overgrazing, development, altered fire regimes, and the spread of invasive grasses has reduced and fragmented suitable habitat for the species. However, the IUCN lists the Rufous-winged Sparrow as a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information
November 9th, 2015 - Coronado National Forest, south of Tucson, Arizona - Terry Sohl
