- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Spizella atrogularis
- CLASSIFICATION
- Bird
- LIFE SPAN
- 2-5 Years
- SIZE
- 5-6” | 0.019-0.031lbs
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Priority Species
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- GAME TYPE
- None
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
Black-chinned Sparrows are found in the southern portion of Nevada, and are locally common in dry brushlands and chaparral from near sea level to 8,000 feet. They typically breed on rocky hillsides and winter downslope in desert shrublands.
- Mojave desert
- Pinyon juniper forests
Threats
- Climate Change
- Grazing
- Habitat Loss
Natural History
Black-chinned Sparrows eat insects from the trees and the ground during breeding season. In the winter, they eat seeds from flowering plants and from grasses. They typically breed on rocky hillsides, building their nests in the centers of dense shrub. Most nests can be found about two feet above the ground. Males will sing from perches to defend their territory.
Fun Facts
Black-chinned Sparrows may prefer recently burned areas, where the chaparral is less than ten years old.
