Sage Sparrow
Encyclopedia
The Sage Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow
of the western United States
and northwestern Mexico
.
Sage Sparrows are indeed often tied to sagebrush
habitats, although they can also be found in brushy stands of saltbush, chamise, and other low shrubs of the arid Interior West.
The most widespread population (subspecies nevadensis) breeds in the interior of the Western United States
(between the Rocky Mountains
and the coastal ranges such as the Cascades
). It winters in the Mexican-border states and northern Sonora
and Chihuahua. A related population (subspecies canescens) breeds in south-central California. Three other populations are resident to the west: the dark subspecies belli in the California Coast Ranges and part of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada south to about 29° N in Baja California
, the equally dark subspecies clementeae limited to San Clemente Island
, and subspecies cinerea in western Baja California from 29° N to 26° 45' 0 N. These three subspecies are sometimes called Bell's Sparrow. Some consider them a separate species.
Although Sage Sparrow numbers are generally strong, significant declines in sagebrush habitat in the West could be expected to decrease populations in the near future. A. b. clementeae has been listed as Threatened since 1977.
The species' epithet (belli) refers to John Graham Bell
.
American sparrow
American sparrows are a group of mainly New World passerine birds, forming part of the family Emberizidae. American sparrows are seed-eating birds with conical bills, brown or gray in color, and many species have distinctive head patterns....
of the western United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and northwestern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Sage Sparrows are indeed often tied to sagebrush
Sagebrush
Sagebrush is a common name of a number of shrubby plant species in the genus Artemisia native to western North America;Or, the sagebrush steppe ecoregion, having one or more kinds of sagebrush, bunchgrasses and others;...
habitats, although they can also be found in brushy stands of saltbush, chamise, and other low shrubs of the arid Interior West.
The most widespread population (subspecies nevadensis) breeds in the interior of the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
(between the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
and the coastal ranges such as the Cascades
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
). It winters in the Mexican-border states and northern Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
and Chihuahua. A related population (subspecies canescens) breeds in south-central California. Three other populations are resident to the west: the dark subspecies belli in the California Coast Ranges and part of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada south to about 29° N in Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, the equally dark subspecies clementeae limited to San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island is the southernmost of the Channel Islands of California. It is owned and operated by the United States Navy, and is a part of Los Angeles County. Defined by the United States Census Bureau as Block Group 2 of Census Tract 5991 of Los Angeles County, California, it is long and...
, and subspecies cinerea in western Baja California from 29° N to 26° 45' 0 N. These three subspecies are sometimes called Bell's Sparrow. Some consider them a separate species.
Although Sage Sparrow numbers are generally strong, significant declines in sagebrush habitat in the West could be expected to decrease populations in the near future. A. b. clementeae has been listed as Threatened since 1977.
The species' epithet (belli) refers to John Graham Bell
John Graham Bell
John Graham Bell was an American taxidermist and collector. He traveled with John James Audubon up the Missouri River in 1843. The Sage Sparrow and Bell's Vireo are named after him....
.
External links
- Sage Sparrow Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sage Sparrow Information - South Dakota Birds and Birding
- Sage Sparrow Amphispiza belli - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
- Sage Sparrow photo gallery VIREO
- Sage Sparrow videos on the Internet Bird Collection