From Opus

Amphispiza bilineata

Photo by digishooter
Location: Kelso Valley, California, USA, May, 2009

[edit] Identification

13 cm (5.25in), 13.5g. Gray-brown above, white below, with striking black throat and breast; 2 conspicuous white stripes on sides of head, 1 above and 1 below the eye.
Sexes alike.
Juvenile has a white throat and streaked breast, reminscent of Sage Sparrow.

[edit] Distribution

Breeds from southern Oregon and Idaho southward to Baja California and central Mexico and central Texas. Also locally in Washington and central California.
Winters from southern Nevada and central Texas southward.

Photo by rb_stern
Location: Borrego Springs, California, USA

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 9 subspecies, 3 of which are confined to islands in the Gulf of California. A. b. bilineata, A. b. opuntia, A. b. deserticola, A. b. bangsi, A. b. pacifica, A. b. grisea, A. b. tortugae, A. b. belvederei and A. b. cana

[edit] Habitat

Arid uplands - common in canyons, badlands, flats, desert alluvial fans, washes and desert scrub, such as mesquite, ocotillo, chollo and sagebrush. Found in piñon-juniper forests at higher elevations (1,219–2,133 m).

[edit] Behaviour

This species has adapted itself well to a life in the extreme habitat of its home range and is very tolerant of the heat and drought.

After the rainy season, they scatter into small flocks

[edit] Diet

Consists of seeds vegetable matter and insects, which provide all the moisture they need, though they will take advantage of water holes when available.

[edit] Breeding

They raise their young in the dry upland desert.

[edit] Vocalisation

Song: a series of two opening notes followed by a buzz or trill, or sometimes several.

[edit] References

1. Black-throated Sparrow Species Account from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
2. eNature

[edit] External Links