About Amphispiza bilineata (Cassin, 1850)
Scientific name: Amphispiza bilineata (Cassin, 1850), commonly known as the black-throated sparrow. This species measures 4.7–5.5 inches (12–14 cm) in length, weighs 0.4–0.5 oz (11–14 g), and has an average wingspan of 7.7 inches (20 cm). Adult black-throated sparrows are pale gray on their upper bodies, with a distinctive black and white head pattern. Immature individuals look similar to adults but do not have a black throat. The call of this species is high and bell-like, while its song is a fairly simple, mechanical tinkling. Black-throated sparrows feed primarily on insects and seeds, and typically travel in small groups. Larger groups may gather around water sources in desert regions. They build loose nests constructed from grass, twigs, and plant fibers, which are carefully hidden in brush 6–18 inches (15–46 cm) above the ground. Black-throated sparrows are habitat generalists, and use a wide range of plant habitats for nest building. They achieve lower breeding success in lower-elevation warm habitats such as mesquite, a pattern that may be linked to human-caused climate change. Females lay clutches of three or four white or pale blue eggs.
