Five-striped sparrow

The five-striped sparrow (Amphispizopsis quinquestriata) is a medium-sized sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Amphispizopsis. It was formerly classified in the genus Amphispiza with the black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata).

Five-striped sparrow
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Passerellidae
Genus:	Amphispizopsis Wolters, 1980
Species:	A. quinquestriata
Binomial name
Amphispizopsis quinquestriata (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1868)
Subspecies
Amphispizopsis quinquestriata quinquestriata Amphispizopsis quinquestriata septentrionalis
Synonyms
Amphispiza quinquestriata

This passerine bird is primarily found along the eastern Gulf of California region and Pacific region of mainland western Mexico, with a breeding range that extends into the southern tip of the U.S. state of Arizona,^[2] the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range containing the Madrean sky islands, of southeastern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico, and northern Sonora. The species was first recorded breeding in the US in 1950s and remains a rare breeding bird.^[3]

This species is a regular host of cowbird nest parasites.

Habitat

The five-stripped sparrow favours steep brushy hillsides in canyon regions.^[3]

Feeding

This species often forages on the ground, looking for small seeds and insects. In the summer, the species diet shifts more towards insects such as caterpillars.^[3]