Botteri’s Sparrow, Peucaea botterii

Botteri’s Sparrow, Peucaea botterii. Photograph taken within the Reserva Monte Mojino, Alamos, Sonora, January 2018. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Botteri’s Sparrow, Peucaea botterii. Photograph taken within a residential community in Hereford, Arizona, November 2012. Photograph and identification courtesy of Bob Behrstock, Sierra Vista, Arizona (naturewideimages.com).

Background and Identification

The Botteri’s Sparrow, Peucaea botterii, is a member of the Passeridae Family of Old World Sparrows. This species is known to be a small, elusive bird with subtle plumage and a distinctive song that consists of a series of high, thin notes or phrases followed by an accelerating trill, often followed by several whistled notes. In Mexico, this species is called Zacatonero de Botteri.

The sexes of Botteri’s Sparrow appear similar, called monomorphism. Adult average masses range from 17 g (0.60 oz) to 26 g (0.92 oz) and overall lengths of 14.6 cm (5.7 inches) to 17.1 cm (6.7 inches). Adult Botteri’s Sparrows have a plain, buffy-brown appearance with a grayish head, a finely streaked crown, a faintly streaked back, and unmarked underparts. Their face features a pale eyebrow stripe and a large bill, adapted for their diet of seeds and insects. Populations in Texas and the southwestern United States have more blackish-grey underparts, whereas populations in Mexico tend to have more brown present on their underparts.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Botteri’s Sparrows prefer open grasslands and savannas with scattered shrubs, often inhabiting areas with tall grasses and minimal tree cover. They thrive in regions where grasses grow long enough to provide cover and nesting material. These sparrows are typically found at low to mid-elevations (0-300 meters above sea level), avoiding densely forested areas and urban environments.

Geographically, Botteri’s Sparrows are primarily located in the southwestern United States and Mexico. In the U.S., their range includes southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and parts of Texas. In Mexico, they are found from the northern states of Sonora and Chihuahua down through central and southern Mexico. Some populations are resident year-round, while others may migrate short distances to find suitable breeding or wintering grounds. Botteri’s Sparrow is more common in Mexico than in any other part of its range.

Common Misidentifications

Botteri’s Sparrow can be easily confused with other similar-looking sparrows, particularly those within their range. One common look-alike is the Cassin’s Sparrow, Peucaea cassinii, which shares a similar habitat and has comparable plumage. Cassin’s Sparrow has a slightly more robust appearance, a more pronounced streaking on the back, and a distinct song with more complex trills and phrases. Another potential confusion is with the Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum, which shares a size and shape. The Grasshopper Sparrow, however, has a flatter head, a more distinct central crown stripe, and a buzzy, insect-like song that differentiates it from Botteri’s Sparrow.

Conservation Status

From a conservation perspective Botteri’s Sparrow is currently considered to be of Least Concern and has a stable, widely distributed populations. They are, however, less abundant and more localized compared to other sparrow species.