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Worthen 's Sparrow.


Worthen 's Sparrow.
Photo Information
Copyright: Luis Leal (Luis52) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2801] (10142)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-05
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D80, 80-200 f2.8D ED AF Nikkor+1.5X Kenko
Exposure: f/4.3, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-19 19:52
Viewed: 614
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Worthen's Sparrow Spizella wortheni
First In Trek Nature.

Protected By The Bird conservation Alliance here in Saltillo.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passerine
Family: Emberizidae
Genus: Spizella
Species: S. wortheni


Worthen’s Sparrow, (Spizella wortheni), was first described by Ridgway in 1884. "It was named in honor of Charles K. Worthen, an American naturalist and collector of birds for natural history museums."1 This small bird was listed under the World Conservation Union, (IUCN) red list as endangered in 1994.²


Description
Spizella wortheni can range in heights from 12.5-14 cm. It is identifiable by its distinctive head pattern. It has a Grey head with a rufous crown, a brown postocular stripe and a pink bill. It has grey-brown upperparts, with dark brown streaks. It has a grey bottom, and dark brown wings and tail. Its wings are "edged paler, with broad whitish to pale buff wing-bar, buffy-rufous tertial and secondary edging, and greyish lesser coverts."³

Juvenile's are characterized by brownish coloration of the head and chest, with dusky streaking on head and dark brown streaking on chest and flanks.

The song is a dry, chipping trill of 2-3 second duration, and is described as a cross between that of the Field Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow.4

The species is similar in appearance to the Field Sparrow (spizella pusilla). However, they differ in plumage, habitat, and song.

The species nests from May- July, and usually lays 3-4 eggs. Single-species flocks form after the breeding season and are strongly attracted to permanent sources of water.

The species is not migratory, however a few sightings of individuals have taken place throughout the north-west region of Mexico. Only one individual has ever been identified (shot) in North America, and it was by Rieber on June 16, 1884 near Silver City, New Mexico. 1


Habitat/ Range
Worthen's Sparrow is endemic to North-Eastern Mexico and currently occupies a 25 km² range.³ Populations formerly occurred in Zacatecas, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, however presently is only known to occur from south-eastern Coahuila to western Nuevo León.

Spizella wortheni prefers open, arid shrub-grassland at elevations of 1,200-2,450 m. For foraging, the species prefers open areas with low grasses. For nesting and cover, it usually inhabits low, dense shrubs.

As of 2004, the current population was estimated to be between 100- 120 individuals.³


Threats
The major threat to this species is habitat destruction. The grassland Worthen's Sparrow is specific too has progressively been plowed for agricultural practices and grazing.

Conservation Efforts
Currently there is a conservation effort being coordinated by the Bird Conservation Alliance and other organizations to protect the Saltillo Savanna in Mexico. The program, known as the Mexican Grasslands Appeal, seeks to purchase over 1,000 acres of prime grassland habitat to protect and save this last great North American grassland. By protecting this area, the appeal will conserve habitat for the Long-billed Curlew, Worthen's Sparrow, Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plover, Sprague's Pipit, and Ferruginous Hawk.5


From Wikipedia.
Saludos
Luis52.
Adanac, angela926, soccer, Jamesp, ellis49, Juyona, CeltickRanger, jaycee, mariki, eqshannon, nkasot, nglen, Islander_, SelenE, angybone, izler has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Luis,
Great shot, Lovely natural colors and very good sharpness, excellent composition, good pov, fantastic sharpness and nice details.
Angela

Hi Luis,

Goodd dof and pov.
The Bg are exellent and almost the same of the bird.
The bird is very sharp with natural colors, well done.
Regards Gert

Hi Luis,

I am happy for you getting a first for TN. It is a nice capture, sharp with lovely soft colors throughout.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • soccer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 569 W: 0 N: 531] (1919)
  • [2008-03-19 23:14]

Hi Luis,

The composition, POV, sharpness, detail and clarity of the subject, DOF , OOF BG and the lighting are all excellent. A great pic that you have posted.
TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4834] (14354)
  • [2008-03-20 0:40]

Hi Luis

A lovely shot - good composition and POV with wonderful colour and detail. Well observed and captured.

James

I am going to be away in South Africa until 8 April - have a good Easter Break.

Hi Luis,
the colours and lighting are very nice.
Fine details and the bird standout well from the BG because of the shallow DOF.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2038 W: 6 N: 2019] (13259)
  • [2008-03-20 1:11]

Hola amigo,
preciso ángulo de captura,
bello especimen y homogéneo bg,
todo un lujo,
saludos Luis, (voy a trabajar)

hello Luis

another of your great shots of little birds,
lovely pose and glance of this Worthen 's Sparrow,
excellent POV and framing, excellent DOF,
great sharpness and details of the plumage, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1778 W: 8 N: 4605] (14893)
  • [2008-03-20 8:40]

Hi Luis,

Congratulations on being the first to post this lovely sparrow on TN. I never heard of this one before and he is beautiful. He doesn't look much like his common cousins. Wonderful colors, nice details and a great pose.

Jane

You use your eye and that Nikon well in these latest bird images...I see we are all...everyone of us learning much from each other....it is more than dynamic and closer to synergy which drives us....I love it!
Bob

Hello Luis52
Wonderful shot of this beauty. Colors, sharpness,lighting and composition are excellent. Thanks for sharing. Regards,
Nazım

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1989 W: 5 N: 5528] (20896)
  • [2008-03-20 12:01]

Hi Luis. What a cute little sparrow. good detail and colour. i like the pose with its head turned to one side. a nice POV/DOF. interesting notes . well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Luis,

Congratulations for a rare bird capture! And with a such great quality! Very well done! Thank you,

Eugene

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1044 W: 1 N: 4110] (13816)
  • [2008-03-20 19:14]

Hola My Very Good Friend,
Congratulations on this splendid first time image. Your great skills shine through again Luis. thank you Sir.
Rick

Hello Luis,

Very nice composition. Very good sharpness. Very good association of colours: the colours of the background have the same tone than the colours of the bird.
Very well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2339 W: 59 N: 3778] (12122)
  • [2008-03-21 2:56]

Hola Luis,
I liked the natural colors, composition, light, eye contact and your POV. Gracias
Un saludo,
Selen

A little beauty!
Great shot...love the way the bird seems to look over its shoulder toward you.
Great color and light. Well done!

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-21 22:42]

Hello Luis

Another fine avian shot,with lovely sharpness and detail.
Just marking the post for now.

Rob

Wow Luis,
I've got over 6700 photos of birds, but not this one. I think you're not only the first one on TN, but the first one on the whole internet with this photo. Congratulations!
And a beauty it is. With very good sharp details and great natural colours. Excellent composition.
Happy Easter,
Peter

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1329 W: 107 N: 4791] (21282)
  • [2008-03-23 7:33]

Hello Luis, another fine bird picture! Great subject, very sharp focus, well exposed and a very good composition, well done my friend, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2008-03-24 2:33]

Bonjour Luis,

Superbe prise,bravo pour l'harmonie des couleurs et le focus bien réalisé.
Merci pour le partage.
Joseph

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1262 W: 78 N: 871] (7870)
  • [2008-03-24 3:04]

hello Luis
very important document and successful capture of this rare and cute species
i like composition, POV, BG, lighting, colours, details and informative note
TFS
regards
izler

  • Great 
  • lizzie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 0 N: 635] (2843)
  • [2008-03-24 18:33]

Hi Luis,

Very nicely done, great details in the plumage, love the pose...he looks so elegant!
Beautiful light also!
Very well done!

Lise

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