Bell's sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow of the western United States and northwestern Mexico. It used to be placed in the genus Amphispiza, but recent evidence suggested it be placed in its own genus.
Region
Western United States and northwestern Mexico
Typical Environment
Primarily found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral edges, and desert scrub dominated by sagebrush, saltbush, and creosote. In California it ranges from coastal and interior valleys to desert foothills, extending into northern Baja California. It favors open, sparsely vegetated landscapes with scattered shrubs and bare ground for foraging. Nests are typically concealed low in shrubs. Some interior populations shift locally after breeding to lower, milder desert basins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Bell's sparrow is a shy, ground-oriented sparrow of arid shrublands, especially sagebrush and saltbush, across California and northwestern Mexico. Formerly lumped with the Sagebrush Sparrow in Amphispiza, it is now placed in its own genus Artemisiospiza based on genetic and morphological evidence. Subtle differences in head pattern and tone help separate it from its close relative. It often stays low in shrubs, making its clear, tinkling song one of the best ways to detect it.
A Front-facing image of a mature Bell's Sparrow
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, fluttering dashes between shrubs
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, with males singing from exposed perches on shrubs. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low within dense shrub cover; both sexes attend to young. Outside the breeding season, small loose groups may form in suitable foraging areas.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a clear, tinkling series of sweet, buzzy trills delivered from low shrub tops. Calls include sharp chips and thin tseet notes, often given from cover.
Plumage
Gray head with a contrasting dark malar (mustache) stripe framing a pale throat; brown back with fine dark streaking; underparts pale and lightly marked, sometimes with a faint central spot.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of grass and forb seeds, sagebrush and saltbush seeds, and seasonally abundant arthropods such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Insects become more important during breeding to provide protein for nestlings. It also picks small buds and shoots when seeds are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly on the ground beneath or near shrubs, picking seeds from bare soil and litter. Frequently uses the protective cover of shrubs for both feeding and quick retreats from predators.
