Black-Throated Sparrow

Amphispiza bilineata

Black-Throated Sparrow is a year-round resident in the deserts of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. But some birds will travel to the Great Basin region and the Colorado Plateau to breed. Sparse desert growth, where few other birds frequent, are often attractive areas to these birds.

Populations have declined over 40% since 1970. Science believes the cause is drought and habitat losses from fire-prevention measures. Land development has also contributed to this decline. Unlike some birds, Black-Throated Sparrows have not adapted well to altered and urbanized habitats.

Science recognises ten subspecies of Black-Throated Sparrow:

A. b. bangsi, A. b. tortugae, A. b. carmenae, A. b. belvederei, and A. b. cana live in Baja California (Mexico) or on islands in the Gulf of California.
A. b. bilineata lives in central Texas to northeastern Mexico.
A. b. opuntia southern Colorado and western Oklahoma south through eastern New Mexico, west Texas, and northern Mexico.
A. b. deserticola breeds from eastern California to southern Wyoming, western Colorado, west Texas, and from Baja California (Mexico), and north-central Mexico. They spend winters from southeastern California east to southwest Utah, west Texas and south to Baja California and Sonora (Mexico).
A. b. pacifica lives from southern Sonora, south to Sinaloa (Mexico).
A. b. grisea lives on the Mexican Plateau.

I’ve visited some of the loneliest, most barren desert landscapes imaginable. Places that appear to be devoid of animal life are the preferred home of the Black-Throated Sparrow. Listen carefully for soft tinkling call notes coming from the direction of a nearby bush or thicket. Such sounds serve as a reminder that even in these harsh conditions, life is possible. With a little luck, a small light gray-brown sparrow will appear from cover and display its subdued elegance. Only then can you observe its white-lined face and deep black bib from which it gets its name. If the meeting is in spring, when love is in the air, you’ll probably enjoy the tiny bell-like song of this spirited little bird. Having seen this sparrow on its home turf, I would invite you to look again at its barren homeland and consider whether you still feel the place is lonely.

58 Photos

Black-Throated Sparrow - Amphispiza bilineata — **Black-Throated Sparrow**
*(Amphispiza bilineata)*

**Description:**
Silver Creek area, east of Bullhead City, near Oatman, Arizona. In Golden Valley.
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**Date Taken:** 2015:05:03 17:09

**Location:**

Oatman
Golden Valley, Arizona
United States
2395.13 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/320

**File Name:** D3X8757-BlackThroatedSparrow

© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Black-Throated Sparrow**
*(Amphispiza bilineata)*

**Description:**
Silver Creek area, east of Bullhead City, near Oatman, Arizona. In Golden Valley.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2015:05:03 17:09

**Location:**

Oatman
Golden Valley, Arizona
United States
2395.13 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/320

**File Name:** D3X8757-BlackThroatedSparrow

© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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