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Cassin's Sparrow

Aimophila cassiniiOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Cassin's Sparrow Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Cone
  • Eye Color: Dark brown.
  • Head Pattern: Eyeline, Striped, Streaked, Eyering, Malar or malar stripe
  • Crown Color: Gray with brown streaking.
  • Forehead Color: Gray with brown streaking.
  • Nape Color: Gray with brown streaking.
  • Throat Color: White with gray wash.
  • Cere color: No Data
Cassin's Sparrow Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 15 cm (6 in)
  • Weight: 20 g (0.7 oz)
  • Size: Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color Primary: Brown
  • Underparts: Buff-white
  • Upperparts: Gray with black and brown streaking.
  • Back Pattern: Striped or streaked
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Cassin's Sparrow Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Short flights with rapid wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 23 cm (9 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Fan-shaped Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Dark gray-brown
  • Under Tail: Dark gray-brown
  • Leg Color: Pink-orange
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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