Yellow-browed Sparrow

Ammodramus aurifrons

Known for its distinctive gold markings above the eyes, this small but striking songbird is found on wetland edges and grassy areas across South America.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is a short-tailed, long-legged sparrow with a relatively stout bill. Its most distinctive feature is a bright yellow eyebrow (supercilium) set against a grey head with fine dark streaking.

The upperparts are grey with darker streaking, while the underparts are primarily grey on the breast and flanks, becoming off-white on the belly. The wing shows yellow patches at the bend, visible when perched.

Both sexes look identical. Juveniles are similar but duller overall, with less yellow on the face and subtle streaking across the breast.

Size

Length

12cm to 13cm

Wingspan

18cm to 20cm

Weight

14g to 18g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Yellow

Secondary Colour

White Grey

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Yellow-browed Sparrow can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Yellow-browed Sparrow can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Yellow-browed Sparrow is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Yellow-browed Sparrows inhabit a range of open and semi-open habitats, including grasslands, savannahs, and forest edges. They are found in parts of South America, including countries like Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

These birds are non-migratory and maintain a relatively stable distribution throughout the year, adapting to seasonal changes within their habitats.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Yellow-browed Sparrow. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons