Peucaea mystacalis
The Bridled Sparrow, *Peucaea mystacalis*, is a medium-sized New World sparrow, distinguished by its striking facial pattern that gives it its common name. Measuring approximately 13-15 cm (5-6 inches) in length and weighing around 15-20 grams, it features a prominent black malar stripe contrasting sharply with a broad white supercilium and sub-mustachial stripe. Its crown is dark brownish-gray, with gray ear coverts, while the upperparts are streaky brown and the underparts a plain gray to w...
This sparrow primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid scrublands, thorn forests, and dry deciduous woodlands. It prefers rocky hillsides and lower mountain slopes, typically found at elevations ranging from 700 to 2000 meters.
Its diet mainly consists of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and larvae, particularly abundant during the breeding season. This is supplemented with small seeds from various grasses and forbs, especially during drier periods.
The Bridled Sparrow is a diurnal and often skulking bird, preferring to stay hidden within dense vegetation, making it a challenging species to observe. It primarily forages on the ground, gleaning insects and seeds from leaf litter and low-lying shrubs. Males are highly territorial during the br...
The Bridled Sparrow is endemic to central and southern Mexico, exhibiting a relatively restricted and non-migratory distribution. Its core range spans across the states of Oaxaca, Puebla, Guerrero, and Morelos, with populations also extending into parts of Mexico State and western Veracruz. This ...
Least Concern
- The 'bridled' in its name directly refers to the striking black malar stripe on its face, which resembles a horse's bridle. - It is one of the more elusive sparrows, often heard singing its melodious tune from dense cover rather than being easily spotted. - Its song is considered one of the mos...