About Xenospiza baileyi Bangs, 1931
The Sierra Madre sparrow, with the scientific name Xenospiza baileyi Bangs, 1931, is also commonly called Bailey's sparrow. This is an endangered, range-restricted, little-known American sparrow. It is endemic only to Mexico, and faces the threat of extinction from ongoing habitat loss. This species is found exclusively in certain mountain ranges within and adjacent to the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico. It lives only in bunchgrass and marshland habitats in volcanic mountain ranges, at altitudes between 2,300 and 3,050 metres (7,550–10,010 ft). The northern population of the sparrow occupies the lower part of this altitude range, while the southern population occupies the higher part. Little habitat information exists for the northern population, though pine, oak, and Arbutus trees, most likely Arizona madrone (A. arizonica), have been recorded in its area. More detailed information is available for the southern population, which has been studied more extensively. The dominant bunchgrass species in its habitat are Festuca amplissima, Peruvian feather grass (Stipa ichu), Muhlenbergia affinis, and Muhlenbergia macroura. Small stands of Montezuma pine (Pinus montezumae) and likely Lumholtz's pine (P. lumholtzii) grow on elevated terrain in this area.
