Prevost's ground sparrow
| Prevost's ground sparrow | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Melozone |
| Species: | M. biarcuata
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| Binomial name | |
| Melozone biarcuata | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Melozone biarcuatum | |
Prevost's ground sparrow (Melozone biarcuata), also known as the white-faced ground sparrow, is an American sparrow.
Etymology[edit]
Its English name commemorates French naturalist Florent Prévost.[2]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
This bird breeds at middle altitudes from southern Mexico to western Honduras. The Cabanis's ground sparrow was previously considered a subspecies. It is found typically at altitudes between 600 and 1600 m in the undergrowth and thickets of semi-open woodland, coffee plantations, hedgerows and large gardens.[3]
Description[edit]
Prevost's ground sparrow is on average 15 cm long and weighs 28 g. The adult has a stubby dark-grey bill, unstreaked olive-brown upperparts, a rufous crown and mainly white underparts. Young birds are browner above, have yellower underparts, and a duller indistinct head pattern. It has a simple head pattern in which the rufous of the crown extends down the sides of the neck as a half collar behind the white face.
Behaviour[edit]
Usually found in pairs, the bird is a shy species best seen at or near dusk. They sometimes venture in the open in the early morning.[3]
Breeding[edit]
The nest, built by the female, is a neat lined cup constructed less than 2 m up in a bush or large tussock. The female lays a clutch of two or three ruddy-blotched white eggs, which she incubates for 12–14 days. The male helps in feeding the chicks. This species is sometimes parasitised by the bronzed cowbird.
Feeding[edit]
The bird feeds on the ground on seeds, fallen berries, insects and spiders.
Voice[edit]
Calls include a thin tsit or a clearer psee. The male's song, given from a hidden perch in the wet season, is a whistled pst’t’t’t peer peer peer whee whee whee.
References[edit]
- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Melozone biarcuata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T103776515A136945738. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T103776515A136945738.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael (2003). Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 73–74.
- ^ a b "Melozone biarcuata". Neotropical Birds. Cornell University. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
External links[edit]
- Photo-High Res; Article
- Prevost's ground sparrow photo gallery VIREO
- Photos; Article birdguatemala
