From Opus

Photo by Steve Messick

Aimophila cassinii

[edit] Identification

13-15 cm. Grey brown, back appears scalloped, grey eyestripe, small yellow patch at bend of wing, white tipped tail, dark brown iris, upper mandible dark grey brown, lower blue grey, dark pink legs. Sexes alike.

[edit] Distribution

Breeds in western Colorado, in the southwest corner of Nebraska, western Kansas and Oklahoma, western half of Texas, south and eastern New Mexico, and far southwestern Arizona as well as much of Mexico. Winters in southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico Accidental vagrant to northeast (New York, Maine, New Jersey and Nova Scotia), midwest (Ohio, Ontario, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan) and in the west (California (several records) and Nevada).

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Dry grasslands with scattered small trees and shrubs.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes seeds and insects.

Its nest is an open cup made from grass, lined with fine grasses. 3-5 white eggs are laid.

[edit] References

All About Birds

[edit] External Links