Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 5.9–6.7 in
15–17 cm - Wingspan
- 8.7 in
22 cm - Weight
- 0.6–0.9 oz
17–26 g
Other Names
- Bruant de Botteri (French)
- Gorrión de Botteri, Zacatonero de Botteri, Sabanero pechianteado (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- Botteri's Sparrow was much more widespread in Arizona in the early and middle 19th century than it is now. Loss of grasslands and possibly natural cycles are probably responsible for the decline. The species was not recorded at all in Arizona from 1903 to 1932.
- Up to nine subspecies of Botteri's Sparrow are recognized by taxonomists. In the United States, the birds found in Arizona and New Mexico have brownish gray backs, while the ones found in Texas are more pale blackish gray.
Habitat
Grassland
Grassland and coastal prairie, with some interspersed shrubs and trees. Prefers tall grasses for nesting.
Food
Insects
Insects, especially grasshoppers; also seeds.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2–5 eggs
- Egg Description
- White and unmarked.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless with tufts of gray down.
Nest Description
Nest includes an outer cup, a fine inner lining, and an attached entryway; built on the ground in clumps of grass.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Ground Forager
Feeds on the ground. Hops and flies after grasshoppers, then picks exhausted prey with bill.
Conservation
Least Concern
Population of Arizona subspecies of Botteri's Sparrow appears stable. Similarly, prospects are rather good for Botteri's Sparrow in Texas, since most breeding habitat there is now protected. In Mexico, however, degradation of coastal prairie habitat has led to a very poor outlook for the species in these areas.
Credits
- Webb, E. A., and C. E. Bock. 1997. Botteri's Sparrow (Aimophila botterii). In The Birds of North America, No. 216 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.