Zapata Sparrow

Torreornis inexpectata

New World Sparrows · Passeriformes · Rare

The Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata) is a rare new world sparrow found only in Cuba, weighing about 26 g. The Zapata sparrow is a medium-sized grey and yellow bird that lives in the grasslands of the Zapata Swamp and elsewhere on the island of Cuba.

Near ThreatenedRareEndemicEats omnivoreshrublandcup nest26 g

About the Zapata Sparrow

The Zapata sparrow is a medium-sized grey and yellow bird that lives in the grasslands of the Zapata Swamp and elsewhere on the island of Cuba. Measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in length, it is grey and yellow overall with a dark reddish-brown crown and olive-grey upperparts.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

Voice: The bird's song is described as "metallic high-pitched trill at intervals tziii-tzziii-tzziii ... and quiet tic-tic-tic".

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Zapata Sparrow?
Voice: The bird's song is described as "metallic high-pitched trill at intervals tziii-tzziii-tzziii ... and quiet tic-tic-tic".
How big is a Zapata Sparrow?
The Zapata Sparrow is a small sized bird weighing about 26 g.
Where can you see a Zapata Sparrow?
The Zapata Sparrow is endemic to Cuba, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Zapata Sparrow?
The Zapata Sparrow is most easily confused with the Tumbes Sparrow, the White-browed Brushfinch and the Rusty-bellied Brushfinch.
Is the Zapata Sparrow endangered?
The Zapata Sparrow is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Zapata Sparrow for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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