Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

rascador oliváceo

Voice: Two common calls are a loud sharp “chip,” and a high, thin, lisping “seeeuu.” Song is a loud accelerating “bouncing-ball” trill.

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Status: Common resident in dense woodlands throughout the Valley. Olive Sparrows inhabit dense tangles of vegetation in the forest understory. Although somewhat secretive, Olive Sparrows can often be coaxed into view with squeaking.

Habitat: Dense woodlands and thornscrub.

Best Spots: With patience, fairly easily to find at wildlife refuge feeding stations at Bentsen SP, Santa Ana NWR, Sabal Palm Grove, and Laguna Atascosa NWR.

Similar Species: The combination of olive upperparts, gray underparts, and brown crown stripes distinguishes Olive Sparrow from all other sparrows, except Green-tailed Towhee, a fairly rare winter resident. Green-tailed Towhee, which is primarily found in the Falcon Dam area thornscrub, is more boldly patterned, sporting a bright rufous crown and dark malar (lateral throat stripe).

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Olive Sparrow - Range Map

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