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.
Best time to see a Rufous-crowned Sparrow
The best time to see a Rufous-crowned Sparrow is January–June, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,139 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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