Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata

Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California, March 2018, taken within the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona.

Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California, March 2018, taken within the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona.

Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata. Photographs taken within the greater Bahía de los Ángeles area, Baja California, January 2024. Photographs courtesy of George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California. Identifications courtesy of Mary & George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles.

Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata. Photograph taken within a residential community in Hereford, Arizona, May 2011. Photograph and identification courtesy of Bob Behrstock, Sierra Vista, Arizona (naturewideimages.com).

Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata. Photograph taken within the greater Palm Springs area of southern California, March 2021. Photography courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.

Background and Identification

The Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata, is a member of the Passerellidae Family of New World Sparrows. They are small, distinctive birds known for their striking facial markings and melodious songs. They are commonly spotted, but very little research has been done on this species. In Mexico, they are known as Chiero de Garganta Negra.

They are small in stature, about 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length, and weigh about 10 g (0.35 oz). Adult Black-throated Sparrows are characterized by their gray upperparts, white underparts, and a bold black throat patch. They also have a black mask and white eyebrow stripes that give them a masked appearance. Their tail is long and dark, with white edges visible in flight. Both sexes look similar, though males may have slightly more pronounced black markings.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Black-throated Sparrows are found in semi-open arid deserts and shrubland. They are well-adapted to hot, dry environments and can often be seen foraging on the ground or perched on low shrubs. The main diet of the Black-throated Sparrow consists of insects, spiders, and seeds.

Geographically, this species is distributed across the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of California and Nevada. Their range is vast, with individuals breeding as far north as Washington state. South, their range extends into northern and central Mexico. They are year-round residents in much of their range, though some northern populations of the United States may move southward during the winter months. In Mexico, they are found within the Atlantic Slope to southern Tamaulipas within the Pacific Slope throughout the Baja and from northern Sinaloa south on the central plateau to Guanajuato and Hidalgo at elevations below 2,200 m (7,200 feet).

Common Misidentifications

The Black-throated Sparrow can be confused with other sparrow species that share similar habitats, such as the Sagebrush Sparrow, Artemisiospiza nevadensis, and the Bell’s Sparrow, Artemisiospiza belli. The Sagebrush Sparrow has a less distinct facial pattern and lacks the bold black throat patch of the Black-throated Sparrow. Bell’s Sparrow also has more muted facial markings and a less contrasting throat.

Conservation Status

 From a conservation perspective the Black-throated Sparrow is currently considered to be of  Least Concern. Although their population is considered stable, an expansion of invasive plant species and changes in fire regimes can also impact their preferred habitats.