Peucaea carpalis
The Rufous-winged Sparrow, *Peucaea carpalis*, is a small, endearing New World sparrow renowned for its distinctive rusty shoulder patch. Measuring 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 inches) in length and weighing 12-19 grams (0.4-0.7 oz), it sports an overall streaky brown and gray plumage. Key identification marks include a prominent rufous (reddish-brown) patch on the bend of the wing, a plain gray head with subtle streaking, a bold black malar stripe, and a pale belly. Taxonomically, it belongs to the fam...
Primarily found in semi-arid grasslands and desert scrub, characterized by mesquite, palo verde, acacia, and various grass species at low to moderate elevations up to 1,200 meters.
Consists mainly of insects, particularly grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and ants, supplemented with seeds from various grasses and forbs. Foraging primarily occurs on the ground or in low shrubs.
Rufous-winged Sparrows are primarily diurnal, typically most active during the cooler parts of the morning and late afternoon, often retreating to dense cover during midday heat. They are ground-foragers, hopping and scratching through leaf litter and low vegetation to find food, frequently glean...
The Rufous-winged Sparrow's primary range is restricted to a relatively small area of the Sonoran Desert. In the United States, it is almost entirely confined to southeastern Arizona, particularly in counties such as Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise, primarily inhabiting the desert grasslands of the...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-winged Sparrow's scientific name, *carpalis*, directly refers to the "wrist" or carpal joint of the wing, where its diagnostic rufous patch is located. - They are considered a "specialty bird" for birders due to their restricted range in the US, making a trip to southeastern Arizona ...