Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Aimophila ruficeps

Also known as:Rock Sparrow

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

15 cm (6") Uncommon and local. Southwestern United States. Rocky slopes with scattered bushes.

Unstreaked dark reddish crown. Black whisker marks on each side of face. Plain grayish white underparts. No wing bars. Rounded tail. Similar Chipping Sparrow has wing bar and notched tail.

Song: rapid bubbling of notes like a House Wren.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Kerr County, Lost Maples State Park Texas, US - June 11, 2011

Credit: Vince Smith

Mines Road, Alameda County, California - 7 November 2011.

Credit: Ken Schneider

Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mts., Nevada - July 27, 2008

Credit: J. N. Stuart

Whale Rock Reservoir, San Luis Obispo County, California - January 7, 2012

Credit: Maggie Smith

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Credit: Laura Erickson

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Credit: edlps

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

1 rule

Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 3

Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ?: No · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: None · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:173-rufous-crowned-sparrow:1:1 Source: 173 Rufous-crowned Sparrow, row 1