The yellow-mandibled sparrow is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is found in northeast Colombia and west Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the pectoral sparrow.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from northeastern Colombia into western Venezuela, especially around the Maracaibo Basin and adjacent foothills. It inhabits the understory of subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, often near streams and in dense thickets. Birds also use secondary growth and forest edges where cover is thick. Typically remains close to the ground, moving through leaf litter and vine tangles.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This sparrow of the family Passerellidae occurs in northeast Colombia and western Venezuela, where it favors dense, humid lowland and foothill forest. It was formerly treated as conspecific with the Pectoral Sparrow but differs in voice and details of bill coloration. The bright yellow bill stands out in dim understory light and is a key field mark. It typically stays low and can be easier to hear than to see.
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups. Nests are placed low in dense vegetation, with both sexes involved in territory defense. Forages quietly on or near the ground, often scratching in leaf litter.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers soft, sibilant whistles and short trilled phrases from low, concealed perches. Calls include sharp tsip notes and thin, high contact calls, often given while moving through cover.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a grayish head, contrasting black pectoral band and whitish to buff underparts; wings and tail dusky with olive edging. The bill is bright yellow and conical. Plumage is cleanly marked but subdued, aiding camouflage in the understory.
Diet
Consumes small insects and other arthropods, supplemented by seeds and small fruits. Gleans from low foliage and probes or scratches in leaf litter. Will take fallen berries and occasionally soft invertebrates after rain.
Preferred Environment
Prefers dense understory, vine tangles, bamboo patches, and streamside thickets within humid forest. Also uses edges and regenerating secondary growth where cover is abundant.
