From Opus

Photo by Glen Tepke
Mismaloya, Jalisco, Mexico, 18 January 2008

Alternative name: Russet-tailed Sparrow

Aimophila ruficauda

[edit] Identification

15.5-18 cm. Black head, broad white stripes on crown and above each eye, grey nape, pale brown upperparts streaked with black on the back, unstreaked and buff on the rump and tail, rufous shoulders, buff edged wing feathers, white throat and underparts, buff flanks, grey breast. Young birds have a duller, indistinct head pattern, with buff stripes and a brown ground colour, and have streaked breasts.

[edit] Distribution

Discontinuous range, found on the Pacific slope of Mexico from southern Durango to western Chiapas, and in Central America from eastern Guatemala to northwest Costa Rica.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are four subspecies becoming larger and brighter from north to south. The northernmost form, A. r. acuminata, is smaller than the nominate Costa Rican subspecies ruficauda, has duller, browner upperparts, and paler, whiter underparts.

[edit] Habitat

Brushy savanna, scrubby second growth and woodland edges.

[edit] Behaviour

The female builds a deep cup nest of plant material lined with fine grasses or horsehair, in spiny scrub. 2-4 unmarked pale blue eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 12-14 days. The whole group helps in feeding the chicks, and roost together in a tight group at night.

They feed on the ground and the diet includes grass seeds, some small insects and spiders.

[edit] External Links