Rufous-winged sparrow
Aimophila carpalis
Identification Tips:
- Yellowish, conical bill
- Rusty crown
- Grayish face and supercilium
- Brown streak extends behind eye
- Brown back with darker streaks
- Rusty wings, especially shoulder
- Underparts pale gray
- Long, brown tail
- Sexes similar
- Juvenile (Spring and Summer) has brown, streaked crown, dark cheeks and
buffy breast with diffuse streaks
- Inhabits desert grasslands in southern Arizona
Similar species:
The Rufous-winged Sparrow can be told from the Rufous-crowned Sparrow by
its rusty shoulder, paler underparts, thinner malar streak and different
song. Other sparrows with rusty crowns (Chipping, Field, American Tree,
Swamp) are smaller with different markings.