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Difference between revisions of "Russet Sparrow" - BirdForum Opus

(Video link. References updated)
(References updated)
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Has been considered to form a superspecies or to be conspecific with [[Somali Sparrow]].
 
Has been considered to form a superspecies or to be conspecific with [[Somali Sparrow]].
 
====Subspecies====
 
====Subspecies====
Three subspecies recognized:
+
Three subspecies recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 
* ''P. r. rutilans'' in north-central and east [[China]], [[Korea]], [[Taiwan]], southern Sakhalin and [[Japan]]
 
* ''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. intensior'' in northeast [[India]] (Assam), south-central and south [[China]], northern [[Burma]], northern [[Laos]] and northwest [[Vietnam]]
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Birds of the Himalayas spend the winter at lower altitudes, birds from the east are migratory.
 
Birds of the Himalayas spend the winter at lower altitudes, birds from the east are migratory.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug14}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 23:29, 27 April 2016

Alternative names: Cinnamon Sparrow; Cinnamon Tree Sparrow; Ruddy Sparrow

Male subspecies cinnamomeus
Photo by peterday
Bhutan, 8 April 2010
Passer rutilans

Identification

14 - 15cm (5½-6 in)

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
Female nominate subspecies
Photo by ilovebird
South Korea
  • 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

Has been considered to form a superspecies or to be conspecific with Somali Sparrow.

Subspecies

Three subspecies recognized[1]:

The proposed subspecies batangensis from Sichuan is usually considered synonymous with intensior.

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

Diet

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

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.

Movements

Birds of the Himalayas spend the winter at lower altitudes, birds from the east are migratory.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. 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

External Links


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