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Cassin's Sparrow

Aimophila cassiniiOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Breeding Location:

Grassland with scattered trees, Scrub vegetation areas



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Fairly common



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

3 - 5



Incubation Days:

12 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Forbs, grass, flowers, with lining of soft grass, rootlets, and hair.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Cassin's Sparrow: Medium, skulking grassland sparrow, fine brown streaks on gray-brown head and back, buff underparts. Tail is long, rounded, white-tipped. Legs, feet are pink-orange. Forages by scratching on the ground. Short flight, alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.

Range and Habitat

Cassin's Sparrow: Breeds from southern Arizona and southwestern Kansas south to southern New Mexico and western and southern Texas; also in Mexico. Spends winters in southern part of breeding range. Preferred habitats include semi-desert or arid uplands supporting yuccas and tall grass.

Breeding and Nesting

Cassin's Sparrow: Three to five white eggs are laid in a deep, almost tunnel-like cup built on the ground or at the base of a bush or cactus. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Cassin's Sparrow: Diet consists of beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and seeds; forages on the ground.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Cassin's Sparrow: Four loud, melodious, clear whistles are uttered from tops of tall grass stalks and in flight; second note is prolonged and quivering while third note is lowest.

Similar Species

Cassin's Sparrow: Botteri's Sparrow has a different song, a somewhat larger bill, and a flatter head. Bachman's Sparrow has a different range and song.

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Family
Species Aimophila cassinii
Length6 Inches
Wingspan9 Inches

Cassin's Sparrow

Cassin's Sparrow: Medium, skulking grassland sparrow, fine brown streaks on gray-brown head and back, buff underparts. Tail is long, rounded, white-tipped. Legs, feet are pink-orange. Forages by scratching on the ground. Short flight, alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.

● Song: "pit-pit-pit-pit"

● Foraging & Feeding: Cassin's Sparrow: Diet consists of beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and seeds; forages on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Cassin's Sparrow: Three to five white eggs are laid in a deep, almost tunnel-like cup built on the ground or at the base of a bush or cactus. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Cassin's Sparrow: Botteri's Sparrow has a different song, a somewhat larger bill, and a flatter head. Bachman's Sparrow has a different range and song.

Flight Pattern

Short flights with rapid wing beats.
Cassin's Sparrow Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Cassin's Sparrow: Breeds from southern Arizona and southwestern Kansas south to southern New Mexico and western and southern Texas; also in Mexico. Spends winters in southern part of breeding range. Preferred habitats include semi-desert or arid uplands supporting yuccas and tall grass.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationFairly common
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.7 Ounces