Five-striped Sparrow vs Moss-backed Sparrow

Five-striped Sparrow

Amphispizopsis quinquestriata

Small20 gShrubland

The five-striped sparrow is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long and weighs about 20 g (0.71 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a mostly grayish head with a purple tinge. They have a purplish gray-brown crown. Their English name and specific epithet derive from their white supercilia, a white stripe under their ear coverts, and a white stripe down the middle of their chin and throat. The white stripes are separated by black stripes. Voice: Only the male five-striped sparrow sings; its song is "stacatto, unmelodious, and brief, usually composed of an introductory note and most often 2 (range 1–7) note complexes". It sings throughout the day and usually from a perch. Both sexes make calls which include "chuck, pip, and seet" notes that may be single or in series.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Rodrigo Osvaldo Borbon Vázquez · CC BY 4.0

Moss-backed Sparrow

Arremon dorbignii

Small26 gForest

The adult male moss-backed sparrow's head is mostly black, with a white supercilium from the lores to the back of the head and a narrow gray streak on the crown. The neck is gray and the back, wings, and tail are dull olive green. Its underside is white with grayish edges and a narrow black band across the upper chest. The adult female is similar but duller overall. The crown strip is olive and the underparts are buffy with brown flanks. Juveniles are similar to the adults but duller. The moss-backed sparrow shares the "striking orange bill" of its former "parent" saffron-billed sparrow.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Rosario Douglas · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Five-striped Sparrow and Moss-backed Sparrow.