From Opus

Photo by Glen Tepke
Male, Sierra El Tuito, Jalisco, Mexico, 21 January 2008

Passerina versicolor

[edit] Identification

12cm. Black around base of bill, dark purple plumage, dark blue head and rump, dark red nape, blackish wings and tail. Adult female: brown plumage, paler below. Immature similar to adult female.

[edit] Distribution

Ranges from southeastern Arizona and southern Texas south to Guatemala, including much of Mexico.

[edit] Taxonomy

Polytypic. Consists of four subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

Streamside thickets and brush.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes insects and seeds.

It builds an open cup nest low to the ground in scrub, and 3-4 eggs are laid. They are incubated for about 12 days and the young fledge after a further 12-14 days.

[edit] External Links