White-faced Ground-Sparrow

About the White-faced Ground-Sparrow

Prevost's ground sparrow (Melozone biarcuata), also known as the white-faced ground sparrow, is an American sparrow. Its English name commemorates French naturalist Florent Prévost. This bird breeds at middle altitudes from southern Mexico to western Honduras. The Cabanis's ground sparrow was previously considered a subspecies. It is found typically at altitudes between 600 and 1600 m in the undergrowth and thickets of semi-open woodland, coffee plantations, hedgerows and large gardens.

Prevost's ground sparrow is on average 15 cm long and weighs 28 g. The adult has a stubby dark-grey bill, unstreaked olive-brown upperparts, a rufous crown and mainly white underparts. Young birds are browner above, have yellower underparts, and a duller indistinct head pattern. It has a simple head pattern in which the rufous of the crown extends down the sides of the neck as a half collar behind the white face.

Usually found in pairs, the bird is a shy species best seen at or near dusk. They sometimes venture in the open in the early morning. The nest, built by the female, is a neat lined cup constructed... Wikipedia →