the black-throated sparrow is a small sparrow primarily found in the southwestern united states and mexico .
it is sometimes referred to as the desert sparrow , due to its preferred habitat of arid desert hillsides and scrub .
this name usually refers to the desert sparrow of africa and asia .
the black-throated sparrow reaches a length of about 4.5-5.5 inches , and is pale gray above , with a distinctive black and white head pattern.immature are similar but lacks a black throat .
its call is high and bell-like , and its song is a fairly simple , mechanical tinkling .
it feeds primarily on insects and seeds , and travels in small groups , though larger groups may accumulate around sources of water in the desert .
it has a loose nest of grass twigs and plant fibers carefully hidden in brush 6-18 inches above the ground .
3-4 white or pale blue eggs are laid .1 medium sparrow , gray-brown upperparts , white underparts , black bib .
head has dark gray cap and sharply contrasting white eyebrow and cheek stripe .
bill is black .
long , round-tipped tail is edged with white .
legs and feet are gray .
forages on the ground and in low vegetation .
breeds from central oregon to northeastern california , southwestern wyoming , and southeastern colorado southward to central arizona and new mexico .
spends winters south to the desert regions of the southwestern u.s. from california to central texas south into mexico .
preferred habitats include deserts and scrublands .0 the striking black-throated sparrow is a denizen of open deserts of the western united states and mexico .
black throat .
gray body .
white face stripes .
white tips to outer tail feathers .
juvenile similar , without black throat , but with dusky streaks and spots across chest .
