Artemisiospiza belli
adult
Bell’s Sparrow is an attractive little songbird. The sexes are similar. Adults have a gray-brown back, rump, and tail, and brown wings with buff feather margins. The nape, crown, and face are mainly dark gray, with a white eyering and short white line in front of the eye. A black malar stripe separates the white “mustache” from the white throat. The underparts are otherwise white except for a central black breast spot and a few dark streaks on the flanks. Juveniles are similar to an adult but duller and more heavily streaked.
Bell’s Sparrow was once considered to be a subspecies relative of the Sagebrush Sparrow, and formerly they were grouped together and called Sage Sparrow. Bell’s Sparrow is present year-round in coastal California. Outside the breeding season it is often seen in small flocks, with members of the group flicking their tails as they feed.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6.25 in (16 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Chaparral woodland
STATUS Locally common resident
VOICE Song comprises a series of grating musical phrases. Call is a thin tsip
