Rufous-crowned sparrow
Aimophila ruficeps
Identification Tips:
- Yellowish, conical bill
- Rusty crown
- Grayish face and supercilium
- Brown streak extends behind eye
- Thick black malar streak
- Brown back with darker streaks
- Brown wings
- Underparts gray
- Long, brown tail
- Sexes similar
- Juvenile (Spring to Fall) has brown crown and diffuse streaks on
breast and flanks
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) are
smaller, lack the dark malar streak and have wing bars.