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Black-throated Sparrow

Amphispiza bilineata ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: EMBERIZIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Black-throated Sparrow Photo

The striking Black-throated Sparrow is a denizen of open deserts of the western United States and Mexico.

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At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
4.7–5.5 in
12–14 cm
Weight
0.4–0.5 oz
11–15 g
Other Names
  • Bruant à gorge noire (French)
  • Zacatonero garganta negra (Spanish)

Cool Facts

  • The Black-throated Sparrow establishes and holds a large territory during nest construction and egg laying. Once incubation starts, the territory boundary shrinks, and the male becomes less responsive to intruders.

Habitat


Scrub

Food


Insects

Nesting

Nest Placement

Shrub

Behavior


Ground Forager

Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern

Declining across range in United States, probably because of habitat loss to urban development.

Credits

  • Johnson, M. J., C. Van Riper III, and K. M. Pearson. 2002. Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata). In The Birds of North America, No. 637 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Range Map Help

Black-throated Sparrow Range Map
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