Quantcast

Cassin's Sparrow

Aimophila cassiniiOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Bird database and its related content, illustrations and media is Copyright © 2002 - 2007  Whatbird.com
All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced without written permission from Mitch Waite Group.
 Privacy Policy.
Percevia® Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
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