The Rufous-crowned Sparrow is a shy sparrow of rocky hillsides covered with sparse grass and shrubs in the Southwest. The rufous crown stripe and single malar stripe are distinctive. It is usually detected by its whiny, nasal call — a descending series of 'dear dear dear' notes. It walks on the ground and rarely flies more than short distances.
Habitat
Rocky hillsides with sparse grass and brush in the Southwest and California coast
Diet
Seeds and insects from the ground
How common
Uncommon
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