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| Orange-billed sparrow | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Arremon |
| Species: | A. aurantiirostris
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| Binomial name | |
| Arremon aurantiirostris Lafresnaye, 1847
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The orange-billed sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. In Central America it is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. In northwestern South America the orange-billed sparrow is found in Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. The species is named for its bright orange bill, which contrasts with its darker plumage and distinctive facial markings.[2] Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, particularly areas with dense understory vegetation.[3]
Description
[edit]The orange-billed sparrow is a medium-sized passerine measuring about 14-17 cm in length. [3][4] Adults are identified by a bright orange bill that contrasts strongly with the darker coloration of the head and upper breast.[3] The head and upper breast are black, while the throat and a white eyebrow stripe (supercilium) form a contrasting facial pattern.[3][5]
The upperparts are olive-toned, and the underparts are mostly white, separated from the throat by a black breast band.[3][5] Males and Females are similar in appearance and show little sexual dimorphism.[3] Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage and less vivid bill coloration.[3][5]
Distribution and Habitat
[edit]The orange-billed sparrow ranges from Southeastern Mexico southward through Central America into Northwestern South America.[4][6] Its distribution includes Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru.[6] The species inhabits tropical moist lowland forests and is closely associated with dense understory vegetation.[3][4]
It occurs in shaded forest interiors, along forest edges, and in areas of secondary growth that provide thick shrub cover.[3][5] Although most records come from lowland habitats, the species is found at elevations up to about 1,500 meters, depending on regional environmental conditions.[3]
Behavior and Ecology
[edit]The orange-billed sparrow is mainly ground-dwelling and spends much of its time foraging on or near the forest floor among dense vegetation.[3][4] Its diet includes insects, spiders, seeds, and small fruits, which it obtains by searching through leaf litter and low plants.[3][4]
Individuals are observed alone or in pairs rather than in large flocks.[3] Because it occupies dense understory vegetation, the species is often detected by its calls rather than visually.[3][5] Its song consists of clear whistled phrases repeated in a regular pattern and used for territorial defense and communication between mates.[3] As an oscine passerine, the species learns its vocalizations, and regional differences in song patterns have been documented among populations.[3][4]
Breeding
[edit]Breeding occurs during the rainy season when food availability increases.[3] Nests are built near or on the ground and are concealed among dense vegetation, fallen logs, or natural cavities.[3][4] The nest structure consists of leaves, fine roots, and plant fibers placed within understory vegetation.[3]
Clutch size consists of two eggs, and both adults participate in feeding and caring for the nestlings.[3][4]
Conservation Status
[edit]The orange-billed sparrow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because of its broad geographic range and the absence of evidence indicating that the population is currently at risk of extinction.[6] The overall population trend is considered declining, primarily because of habitat loss and forest degradation in parts of its range.[6] However, the species does not meet the criteria for classification in a threatened category under current IUCN assessment guidelines.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Arremon aurantiirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T22721367A137027956. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22721367A137027956.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Description
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Hart, Patrick; Behrstock, Robert A.; Mehlman, D. (2020). "Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.orbspa1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hart, Patrick; Behrstock, Robert A.; Mehlman, D. (2013). "Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris), version 1.0". Neotropical Birds. doi:10.2173/nb.orbspa1.01.
- ^ a b c d e Hoyo, J. del, Sargatal, Cabot, Elliott, J., J. (1993). Handbook of the birds of the world. Lynx Edicions.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e IUCN (2020-01-30). Arremon aurantiirostris: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22721367A137027956 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22721367A137027956.en.
Further reading
[edit]- Skutch, Alexander F. (1954). "Orange-billed sparrow" (PDF). Life Histories of Central American Birds. Pacific Coast Avifauna, Number 31. Berkeley, California: Cooper Ornithological Society. pp. 94–100.
External links
[edit]- Orange-billed sparrow photo gallery VIREO Photo Archived 2021-07-09 at the Wayback Machine
- Photo Archived 2010-06-27 at the Wayback Machine; Article chandra.as.utexas.edu
About
No page comments added.Synonyms
- Arremon aurantiirostris spectabilis