White-eared Ground Sparrow
Melozone leucotis
The White-eared Ground Sparrow (Melozone leucotis) is a uncommon new world sparrow found in 6 countries, weighing about 40 g. The white-eared ground sparrow is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows.
About the White-eared Ground Sparrow
The white-eared ground sparrow is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-eared ground sparrow is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs about 42 g (1.5 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a mostly black head with white patches in front of the eye and on the ear coverts, a broken white eye-ring, a large yellow patch behind the ear coverts and on the sides of the neck, and a thin yellow line above the last. Their mantle is gray-brown and the rest of their upperparts, wings, and tail are olive-green. Their throat is black and a large black patch in the center of the breast sometimes connects to it. Voice: In Costa Rica the male white-eared ground sparrow's song "begins slowly, then quickly accelerates into a profusion of loud, high notes". They usually have a repertoire of up to eight song variations. Pairs sometimes sing in duet. Both sexes make chip and seet calls. Males sing solo only during the breeding season; duets and calls are made year-round.
Where it lives
When to see it
The White-eared Ground Sparrow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-eared Ground Sparrow?
- The white-eared ground sparrow is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs about 42 g (1.5 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-eared Ground Sparrow?
- The White-eared Ground Sparrow is a small sized bird weighing about 40 g.
- Where can you see a White-eared Ground Sparrow?
- The White-eared Ground Sparrow occurs in 6 countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador.
- What birds look similar to a White-eared Ground Sparrow?
- The White-eared Ground Sparrow is most easily confused with the White-throated Towhee, the Prevost's Ground Sparrow and the Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow.
- Is the White-eared Ground Sparrow endangered?
- The White-eared Ground Sparrow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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