Sagebrush sparrow

Sagebrush sparrow
Adult male
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Emberizidae
Genus:	Artemisiospiza
Species:	A. nevadensis
Binomial name
Artemisiospiza nevadensis (Ridgway, 1874)

The sagebrush sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) is a medium-sized sparrow of the western United States and northwestern Mexico. It previously was placed in the genus Amphispiza, but recent evidence suggested it be placed in its own genus (Klicka and Spellman, 2007; DaCosta et al., 2009)

Sagebrush sparrows are indeed often tied to sagebrush habitats, although they can also be found in brushy stands of saltbush, chamise, and other low shrubs of the arid interior west.

The species breeds in the interior of the Western United States (between the Rocky Mountains and the coastal ranges such as the Cascades). It winters in the Mexican-border states and northern Sonora and Chihuahua.

Although sagebrush sparrow numbers are generally strong, significant declines in sagebrush habitat in the west could be expected to decrease populations in the near future.

The sagebrush sparrow, together with the Bell's sparrow, were considered conspecific and known as the sage sparrow before being split by the AOU in 2013.

References

• Klicka, J., and G. M. Spellman. 2007. A molecular evaluation of the North American “grassland” sparrow clade. Auk 124:537–551.
• DaCosta, J. M., G. M. Spellman, P. Escalante, and J. Klicka. 2009. A molecular systematic revision of two historically problematic songbird clades: Aimophila and Pipilo. Journal of Avian Biology 40:206–216.

Book

• Martin, J. W., and B. A. Carlson. 1998. Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli). In The Birds of North America, No. 326 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Thesis

• Joos, C.J. M.S. (2007) Shrub encroachment and condition of wintering Sage Sparrows in southern New Mexico. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
• Johnson E. M.S. (2005). Bird and small mammal communities of sagebrush-dominated mountain meadows: An examination of meadow characteristics as part of a hierarchical, multi-level study of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Utah State University, United States, Utah.
• Moldenhauer RR. Ph.D. (1969). The Water Economy of the Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli nevadensis (Ridgway). Oregon State University, United States, Oregon.
• Petersen KL. Ph.D. (1986). Avian Ecological Studies in a Sagebrush Community: Bird Responses to Fire and Territory Dynamics in a Sparrow Population (Idaho). Iowa State University, United States, Iowa.
• Repasky RR. Ph.D. (1992). Habitat partitioning by sparrows along an elevational gradient. The University of British Columbia (Canada), Canada.
• Tuckfield RC. Ph.D. (1985). Ecological Influences on the Geographic Patterns of Song Variation in Two Desert Sparrows (Black-Throated, Shift, Sage, Character). Indiana University, United States, Indiana.

Articles

• Akcakaya HR, Franklin J, Syphard AD & Stephenson JR. (2005). Viability of Bell's Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli ssp belli): Altered fire regimes. Ecological Applications. vol 15, no 2. p. 521-531.
• Best LB & Petersen KL. (1985). Seasonal Changes in Detectability of Sage Amphispiza-Belli and Brewer's Sparrows Spizella-Breweri. Condor. vol 87, no 4. p. 556-558.
• Best LB & Pettersen KL. (1982). Effects of Stage of the Breeding Cycle on Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli Detectability. Auk. vol 99, no 4. p. 788-791.
• Cicero C & Johnson NK. (2006). Diagnosability of subspecies: Lessons from sage sparrows (Amphispiza belli) for analysis of geographic variation in birds. Auk. vol 123, no 1. p. 266-274.
• Gustafson GR. (1976). A Sage Sparrow Egg in a Black-Throated Sparrow Nest. Auk. vol 92, no 4. p. 805-806.
• Gustafson JR. (1975). SAGE SPARROW EGG IN A BLACK-THROATED SPARROW NEST. Auk. vol 92, no 4. p. 805-806.
• Johnson NK & Marten JA. (1992). Macrogeographic Patterns of Morphometric and Genetic Variation in the Sage Sparrow Complex. Condor. vol 94, no 1. p. 1-19.
• Meents JK, Anderson BW & Ohmart RD. (1982). Vegetation Relationships and Food of Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli Wintering in Honey Mesquite Prosopis-Glandulosa Habitat. Wilson Bulletin. vol 94, no 2. p. 129-138.
• Moldenhauer RR. (1970). The Effects of Temperature on the Metabolic Rate and Evaporative Water Loss of the Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli-Nevadensis. Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology. vol 36, no 3. p. 579-587.
• Moldenhauer RR & Wiens JA. (1970). The Water Economy of the Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli-Nevadensis. Condor. vol 72, no 3. p. 265-275.
• Patten MA & Unitt P. (2002). Diagnosability versus mean differences of sage sparrow subspecies. Auk. vol 119, no 1. p. 26-35.
• Petersen KL & Best LB. (1985). Nest-Site Selection by Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli. Condor. vol 87, no 2. p. 217-221.
• Petersen KL & Best LB. (1986). Diets of Nestling Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli and Brewer's Sparrows Spizella-Breweri in an Idaho USA Sagebrush Community. Journal of Field Ornithology. vol 57, no 4. p. 283-294.
• Petersen KL & Best LB. (1987). Territory Dynamics in a Sage Sparrow Population Are Shifts in Site Use Adaptive. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology. vol 21, no 6. p. 351-358.
• Reynolds TD. (1981). Nesting of the Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes-Montanus Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli and Brewers Sparrow Spizella-Breweri in Southeastern Idaho USA. Condor. vol 83, no 1. p. 61-64.
• Rich T. (1980). Nest Placement in Sage Thrashers Oreoscoptes-Montanus Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli and Brewers Sparrows Spizella-Breweri. Wilson Bulletin. vol 92, no 3. p. 362-368.
• Rich T. (1980). Territorial Behavior of the Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli Spatial and Random Aspects. Wilson Bulletin. vol 94, no 4. p. 425-438.
• Rich T. (1981). Micro Geographic Variation in the Song of the Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli. Condor. vol 83, no 2. p. 113-119.
• Rich T. (1983). Incomplete Songs and Associated Behavior of Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli. Wilson Bulletin. vol 95, no 2. p. 281-282.
• Rich T. (1983). Walking in Line Behavior in Sage Sparrow Territorial Encounters. Condor. vol 85, no 4. p. 496-497.
• Rich T. (1985). Directionality of Displaying Territorial Sage Sparrows Amphispiza-Belli Optimal Paths. Animal Behaviour. vol 33, no 4. p. 1390-1392.
• Rich T. (1985). The Organization and Structure of Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli Song Locatability Distance Transmission and Contrast. Murrelet. vol 66, no 1. p. 1-10.
• Wiens JA. (1982). Song Pattern Variation in the Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli Dialects or Epiphenomena?. Auk. vol 99, no 2. p. 208-229.
• Winter BM & Best LB. (1985). Effect of Prescribed Burning on Placement of Sage Sparrow Amphispiza-Belli Nests. Condor. vol 87, no 2. p. 294-295.