The Sierra Madre sparrow, also known as Bailey's sparrow, is an endangered, range-restricted, enigmatic American sparrow. It is endemic to Mexico and is threatened with extinction through habitat loss.
Region
Central Mexican Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in the highlands of central Mexico, especially in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt near the Valley of Mexico, with a disjunct population in the Sierra Madre Occidental (e.g., Durango). It occupies tall native bunchgrass meadows interspersed with pine–oak forest openings and volcanic slopes. Habitat is extremely localized, often in small valleys and plateaus with dense Festuca- and Muhlenbergia-type grasses. It avoids areas that are heavily grazed, frequently burned, or converted to agriculture.
Altitude Range
2300–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Bailey's sparrow, it is a highly range-restricted grassland specialist confined to high-elevation bunchgrass meadows in Mexico. It is endangered due to loss and degradation of native bunchgrass from burning, grazing, and agriculture. Remaining populations are small, isolated, and sensitive to changes in grass height and structure. Conservation focuses on protecting and managing tall native bunchgrass meadows and preventing overgrazing and frequent fires.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, brief flights over grass
Social Behavior
Typically found singly, in pairs, or small family groups. Nests are well-concealed low in dense bunchgrasses. Likely monogamous in the breeding season and strongly tied to territories with suitable tall-grass structure.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The song is a series of clear, whistled phrases followed by buzzy trills, delivered from low perches within tall grass. Calls include thin tseep notes and dry chips, often given when flushed. Vocalizations carry surprisingly well across grassy openings.
Plumage
Streaked brown upperparts with a contrasting gray face and throat; underparts grayish with fine dusky streaking on the breast and flanks. Wings show warm rufous-brown edging and faint, pale wingbars. Tail is relatively short and often held low when moving through grass.
Diet
Feeds on seeds of native bunchgrasses and other herbaceous plants, especially outside the breeding season. During breeding, it takes a higher proportion of arthropods such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Forages by gleaning from grass stems and the ground and by probing into dense tussocks.
Preferred Environment
Tall, dense bunchgrass meadows with scattered shrubs and edges of pine–oak clearings. Avoids short-grazed or frequently burned grass where cover and seed heads are lacking.
