Rufous-Collared Sparrow
Zonotrichia capensis
Also known as: Andean Sparrow
About This Species
Look for a compact, streaky sparrow with a rufous-tinged crest and grey face foraging on the ground in gardens, parks and open scrub throughout much of Latin America. It is often confident around people, making it one of the easier native sparrows to observe closely in cities and rural settings alike. Its clear, whistled song can be heard year-round, though it is most persistent during the breeding season in spring and early summer.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This is a common, adaptable species, so a modest distance of a few metres while it forages is generally sufficient to avoid disturbance.
- Wildlife protections and specific bird laws vary considerably across its wide range from Mexico to southern South America, so local regulations should be checked rather than assumed.
- Avoid handling or feeding by hand even where birds appear tame, since this can alter natural foraging behaviour.
LCAvesPasseriformesPasserellidae
Seasonal Activity
1,508,672 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.