Amphispiza

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Amphispiza is a genus of birds in the bunting and American sparrow family. It contains two species: Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli The Five-striped Sparrow was formerly placed in this genus. Both inhabit dry areas of the western United States and northern Mexico, but in different habitats. They frequently run on the ground with their tails cocked and sing from low bushes. Adults are whitish on the belly and gray above and on the head, with black and white head markings. Juveniles are rather similar to each other, grayish brown above and whitish below, with short streaks on the breast (Howell and Webb 1995).