Fauna
Bird

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Also known as Andean Sparrow, Chingolo, Chincol, Tico-tico

Rufous-collared sparrows are adaptable songbirds known for their jaunty crests and distinctive cinnamon collars. Males are famous for regional vocal dialects, singing ringing territorial melodies that vary markedly from one Andean valley or coastal plain to the next. Frequently hopping along lawns, roadsides, and alpine scrub, they nest close to the ground in cups woven from dried grasses.

SongbirdMontaneAdaptable
Rufous-collared Sparrow reference
(c) Esteban Poveda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Esteban Poveda · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrass seeds, Caterpillars, Beetles
Predators
  • Feral cat
  • American kestrel
  • Aplomado falcon
ThreatsBrood parasitism by cowbirds, domestic cat predation, and local pesticide use
HabitatsMontane scrub, agricultural fields, paramo, gardens, and urban parks
Life span4–8 years
Classification
  1. OrderPasseriformes
  2. FamilyPasserellidae
  3. GenusZonotrichia
  4. SpeciesZonotrichia capensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Look low: Watch along path edges, park lawns, and shrub bases where they forage on the ground.
  • Listen for dialects: Pay attention to the short whistle and trill, noting how the cadence changes across elevations.
Related species
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