Rufous-winged Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesRufous-winged Sparrow
Adult
Small bird with a short conical bill and long tail. It has rusty stripes on its head and a rusty line behind its eye. Underparts are grayish and unstreaked. Namesake rufous wing patch is not always visible.
© Eric Heisey / Macaulay LibraryArizona, August 04, 2018Adult
Rusty or rufous wing patch sometimes visible on its shoulder. Note black throat stripe, pale conical bill, and rusty streaks on a gray head.
© Max Nootbaar / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 17, 2019Adult
A sparrow with a long, rounded tail and pale, conical bill. Other notable features include unstreaked belly and black throat stripe. Year-round resident in Sonoran desert scrub and Sinaloan thorn scrub.
© Mike Charest / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 03, 2017Similar SpeciesRufous-crowned Sparrow
Adult
Rufous-crowned Sparrows have a gray bill, rusty streaks down the back, and one black mustache stripe whereas Rufous-winged Sparrows have a yellow bill, brown streaks on the back and two black mustache stripes.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryTexas, July 26, 2016Similar SpeciesChipping Sparrow
Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding Chipping Sparrows have a tan wash on the face without mustache stripes whereas Rufous-winged Sparrows have a gray face and a black mustache stripe.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 15, 2007
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