Black-Throated Sparrow
Amphispiza bilineata
Also known as: Desert Sparrow
About This Species
This sparrow favours open, sparse desert and arid scrub with scattered low bushes, where it perches conspicuously to sing from an exposed twig rather than staying hidden. It is most detectable by voice in spring and early summer during the breeding season, when males sing persistently at dawn from the tops of creosote or saltbush. Outside the breeding season it becomes quieter and more likely to be seen foraging on bare ground between shrubs.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep to trails and view from a distance of a few metres using binoculars, since desert scrub habitat is slow to recover from trampling and nest sites near ground level are easily disturbed.
- Songbird nests and habitat receive general protection in most of this species' range, so avoid approaching visible nests or lingering near a singing male long enough to draw attention to a nest location.
- A slow, indirect approach and brief observation window causes far less disturbance than a direct walk toward the bird.
LCAvesPasseriformesPasserellidae
Seasonal Activity
469,111 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.