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* ''P. r. intensior'' in northeast [[India]] (Assam), south-central and south [[China]], northern [[Burma]], northern [[Laos]] and northwest [[Vietnam]] | * ''P. r. intensior'' in northeast [[India]] (Assam), south-central and south [[China]], northern [[Burma]], northern [[Laos]] and northwest [[Vietnam]] | ||
* ''P. r. cinnamomeus'' from northeast [[Afghanistan]] east in the [[Himalayas]] ([[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]]) to southern [[China]] ([[Tibet]]) and northeast [[India]] (Arunachal Pradesh) | * ''P. r. cinnamomeus'' from northeast [[Afghanistan]] east in the [[Himalayas]] ([[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]]) to southern [[China]] ([[Tibet]]) and northeast [[India]] (Arunachal Pradesh) | ||
| − | The proposed subspecies ''batangensis'' from Sichuan is usually considered synonymous with ''intensior''. | + | The proposed subspecies ''batangensis'' from Sichuan is usually considered synonymous with ''intensior''.<br /> |
| + | Has been considered to form a superspecies or to be conspecific with [[Somali Sparrow]]. | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
In the western parts of its range found in open woodland, terrace cultivation around villages and open parts of villages and towns. Occurs at 1000m - 4300m, down to edge of plains in winter.<br /> | In the western parts of its range found in open woodland, terrace cultivation around villages and open parts of villages and towns. Occurs at 1000m - 4300m, down to edge of plains in winter.<br /> | ||
Revision as of 12:13, 6 August 2010
Alternative names: Cinnamon Sparrow; Cinnamon Tree Sparrow; Ruddy Sparrow
- Passer rutilans
Identification
14 - 15cm.
Male
- Bright cinnamon-brown or russet top of head to hindneck and upperparts, heavily streaked black on mantle
- Black lores
- Off-white ear-coverts and cheeks (strong yellow tinge in cinnamomeus and intensior)
- Black median coverts with broad white tips
- Blackish flight feathers
- Dull brownish or grey-brown tail
- Black chin and throat
- Off-white underparts (stronge yellow tinge in cinnamomeus and intensior)
Female
- Sandy brown to dull cinnamon above
- Conspicuous long, bright creamy supercilium
- Broad pale and dark stripes on mantle
- White chin and throat
Juveniles are similar to females but duller.
Similar species
The female resembles the female of House Sparrow but is more brightly marked and has a far more striking supercilium.
Distribution
Found in Asia in the Himalayas, northern Indochina, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and north to Sakhalin (Russia). Winters in north Thailand.
Common in the western parts of its range, rare in the east, rare and declining in Taiwan.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies recognized:
- P. r. rutilans in north-central and east China, Korea, Taiwan, southern Sakhalin and Japan
- P. r. intensior in northeast India (Assam), south-central and south China, northern Burma, northern Laos and northwest Vietnam
- P. r. cinnamomeus from northeast Afghanistan east in the Himalayas (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan) to southern China (Tibet) and northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh)
The proposed subspecies batangensis from Sichuan is usually considered synonymous with intensior.
Has been considered to form a superspecies or to be conspecific with Somali Sparrow.
Habitat
In the western parts of its range found in open woodland, terrace cultivation around villages and open parts of villages and towns. Occurs at 1000m - 4300m, down to edge of plains in winter.
In the eastern parts of its range found in open woodland, forest edges and cultivation, descending down to sea-level.
Behaviour
Feeds on seeds, takes also small berries. Nestlings are fed with caterpillars and grubs.
In winter seen in large flocks to feed on spilt grain and weed seeds in stubbles of cultivated fields.
Breeding season from April to July. A solitary breeder. The nest is an untidy collection of grass, placed in a tree hole or in a hole in a house. In the east of the range also placed in branches of shrub. Lays 4 - 6 eggs.
Birds of the Himalayas spend the winter at lower altitudes, birds from the east are migratory.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Russet Sparrow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Russet_Sparrow
