Grassland Sparrow (Ammodramus humeralis)

Identification & Behavior: ~13 cm (5.1 in). The Grassland Sparrow has gray upperparts streaked with dusky and brown.  The underparts are plain gray with darker gray on the breast. It has yellow lores and reduced yellow superciliary.  It is restricted to grasslands or similar open habitats. The Grassland Sparrow is similar to the Yellow-browed Sparrow but is distinguished by having a rudimentary superciliary that does not go past the eye, and brown streaks on the back.

Status: The Grassland Sparrow is fairly common but very local. It is known to occur in Junin and in Pampas del Heath. It is now colonizing newly created open habitats in cities and towns in Madre de Dios. The Grassland Sparrow also occurs in Co, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Gorrión de Pajonal.

Sub-species: Grassland Sparrow (Ammodramus humeralis xanthornus), Gould, 1839.

Meaning of Name: Ammodramus: Gr. Ammos= sand and dromos= -racer, runner, to run;
humeralis: L. humeralis= of the shoulders, umerus= shoulders.

See more of the Family Passerellidae