From Opus

Aimophila ruficeps

Photo by HelenB.
Photo taken: Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas.

[edit] Identification

A long-tailed, secretive sparrow, most often only heard. Grey head with rufous crown, marked white eye-ring, rufous line behind the eye, dark moustachial and malar stripes on sides of face. Grey-brown above, underparts grey, legs and feet pink.

[edit] Distribution

California, south into northern Baja, also mountains on southern tip of Baja; Arizona, New Mexico, north and central Texas, northwest and central Oklahoma, west and central Mexico.

[edit] Taxonomy

Polytypic. Consists of twelve subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

Rocky, brushy slopes, hillsides and canyons.

[edit] Behaviour

Song: a bubbling series of chip notes, similar to a House Wren.

[edit] External Links