WatchList Species Account for Five-striped Sparrow (Aimophila quinquestriata)

Qualifies for the list as a Rare Yellow List Species

Photo: © Greg R. Homel/Natural Elements Photo-Research, Inc./Natural Encounters Birding Tours

The distinctively-marked Five-striped Sparrow is a Mexican bird with a tiny range extension into south-central Arizona, where it is uncommon and local; perhaps 60-70 birds occur annually. It is resident in Mexico throughout its range in the Sierra Madre Occidental to the west-central part of the country. In Arizona this primarily insectivorous species breeds in isolated canyons, nesting in shrubs or grass clumps with the beginning of the summer rains. Though it prefers steep vegetated hillsides, it is sometimes seen in flatter but densely vegetated areas. Its taxonomic placement in the genus Aimophila is open to question and further studies on the bird are needed.

It has been studied in Arizona but no information is available on Mexican populations. Little information is available on population trends; in some Arizona canyons where it breeds, numbers have been stable. Human disturbance may affect the birds, particularly birders using song playback to add to their list; though the effect is unknown, it is the most isolated canyons that have the most stable populations. Cattle grazing and mining are potential threats to its habitat.