The Chaco sparrow (''Rhynchospiza strigiceps''), formerly known as the stripe-capped sparrow, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is found in Argentina and Paraguay.

Taxonomy and systematics

The current Chaco sparrow was originally one of two subspecies of the then stripe-capped sparrow (''Aimophila strigiceps''). A 2009 publication restored the genus ''Rhynchospiza'' and moved ''A. stolzmanii'' and ''A. strigiceps'' to that genus. A 2019 publication split ''Rhynchospiza dabbenei'' from ''R. strigiceps''.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''. J. Avian Biology 40:206-216 Based on the 2019 publication, in June 2020 the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society (AOS) split ''R. dabbenei'' as the

Yungas sparrow The Yungas sparrow (''Rhynchospiza dabbenei'') is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae endemic to the Yungas region of southeastern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. It was formerly considered a subspecies of what was then called the ...

and renamed ''R. strigiceps

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

'' as the Chaco sparrow. The

International Ornithological Congress International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...

(IOC) followed suit in January 2021.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 19 January 2021. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved January 19, 2021

Description

The Chaco sparrow is the smaller of the two former subspecies that were split. Its upper parts are light brown with darker streaks and varying amounts of rust and gray. It is pale gray below blending to buff on the flanks. The head is gray with cinnamon crown and postocular stripes, pale lores, and a black moustachial stripe.Jaramillo, A. (2020). Stripe-capped Sparrow (''Rhynchospiza strigiceps''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.stcspa1.01 retrieved April 23, 2021

Distribution and habitat

The Chaco sparrow is a partial migrant found in the Gran Chaco region from south-central Paraguay into north-central Argentina. This low elevation biome (up to ) is characterized by subtropical and tropical dry forests and

shrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or be the result of human activity. It m ...

Vocalization

The Chaco sparrow's song is complex trills that contrast with the Yungas sparrow's series of chirps.

Status

The

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...

has evaluated the Chaco sparrow '' sensu lato'' as of Least Concern.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2668938 Rhynchospiza Birds of the Gran Chaco Birds described in 1839 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot