Botteri's sparrow
Botteri's sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow.
This passerine bird is primarily found in Mexico, with a breeding range that extends into the southeastern tip of the U.S. state of Arizona, and a small non-migratory population in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas, which is threatened by loss of habitat.
It was not found in Arizona between the 1890s and the mid-20th century due to excessive grazing of livestock; now it is locally common in its Arizona range due to recovery of vegetation. Juvenile birds apparently need dense vegetation to hide in during fledging; the uncommon native sacaton grass Sporobolus wrightii is preferred, but stands of introduced non-native Lehmann lovegrass and Boer lovegrass are also successfully utilized, though at lower population densities.
The name of this species commemorates the ornithologist Matteo Botteri.
Book
- Webb, E. A., and C. E. Bock. 1996. Botteri's Sparrow . In The Birds of North America, No. 216. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
Thesis
- Jones ZF. Ph.D.. The impacts of an exotic habitat on the population dynamics of a grassland specialist, the Botteri's sparrow, in southeastern Arizona. University of Colorado at Boulder, United States, Colorado.
- Kirkpatrick CK. M.S.. Trends in grassland bird abundance following prescribed burning in southern Arizona. The University of Arizona, United States, Arizona.
Articles
- Bock CE & Bock JH.. Response of Birds to Wildfire in Native Versus Exotic Arizona Grassland. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 37, no 1. pp. 73–81.
- Bock CE & Bock JH.. Numerical response of grassland birds to cattle ranching versus exurban development in southeastern Arizona. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting Abstracts. vol 87, no 79.
- Borror DJ.. Songs of Aimophila Sparrows Occurring in the USA. Wilson Bulletin. vol 83, no 2. pp. 132–151.
- Contreras-Balderas AJ.. New Records of Birds from Nuevo León Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 33, no 2. pp. 251–252.
- Conway DK & Benson KLP.. A Range Extension for Nesting Botteri's Sparrow Aimophila-Botterii in Southern Texas USA. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 35, no 3. pp. 348–349.
- Deviche P, McGraw K & Greiner EC.. Interspecific differences in hematozoan infection in sonoran desert Aimophila sparrows. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. vol 41, no 3. pp. 532–541.
- Eaton MD.. Avian visual perspective on plumage coloration confirms rarity of sexually monochromatic North American passerines. Auk. vol 124, no 1. pp. 155–161.
- Fall BA.. Noteworthy Bird Records from South Texas Kenedy County. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 18, no 2. pp. 244–246.
- Jones ZF & Bock CE.. Nest success as a misleading indicator of habitat quality in the Botteri's Sparrow. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting Abstracts. vol 87, no 171.
- Kirkpatrick C, DeStefano S, Mannan RW & Lloyd J.. Trends in abundance of grassland birds following a spring prescribed burn in southern Arizona. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 47, no 2. pp. 282–292.
- Maurer BA, Webb EA & Bowers RK.. Nest Characteristics and Nestling Development of Cassin's and Botteri's Sparrows in Southeastern Arizona USA. Condor. vol 91, no 3. pp. 736–738.
- Ohmart RD.. Breeding of Botteris Sparrow Aimophila-Botterii in Arizona USA. Condor. vol 70, no 3.
- Swanson DW.. New Nesting Record for Botteris Sparrow Aimophila-Botterii in South Texas USA. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 30, no 1. pp. 161–161.