Sparrows & Finches in Belize | Belize Budget Suites

Sparrows & Finches - in Belize

Orange-Billed Sparrow

Orange Billed Sparrow

Orange Billed Sparrow - Boldly patterned, rather chunky sparrow of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands. Usually on or near the ground in shady understory and thickets; often in pairs. Bright orange bill virtually glows in the dark; also note the bold black-and-white head pattern and black chest setting off the white throat. No similar species in its lowland range.
BELIZE HABITAT - Ground and understory; broadleaf forest interior.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Common resident on mainland north to north Cayo and south Belize; once at Lamanai Orange Walk.

Green-Backed Sparrow

Green Backed Sparrow

Green Backed Sparrow - Retiring, rather bland sparrow of humid tropical lowlands. Favors forest understory and adjacent thickets and tangles. Very similar to Olive Sparrow, which occurs in the same areas but prefers brushy fields rather than forest understory. Green-backed has brighter greenish upperparts and a cleaner gray head with well-defined black stripes, but best told by song. Songs of both species are variable, but Green-backed song typically rather even-paced, unlike accelerating notes of Olive Sparrow. Calls of both species similar.
BELIZE HABITAT - Lower strata of relatively mesic broadleaf second growth woodland, thickets and forest edge. Within the range of Orange-billed Sparrow, restricted to forest edge and second growth; outside range of Orange-billed Sparrow, also found in broadleaf forest interior. This species is also found with the similar Olive Sparrow in open pine woodland and second growth, where it is not uncommon to see the two together.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common resident on mainland. May hybridize with Olive Sparrow in north Belize.

Olive Sparrow

Olive Sparrow - Plain sparrow found in brushy woodlands. Gray overall with greener back, buffy undertail, and brown stripes on head. Fairly long tail. Sexes alike; young birds are buffier and streakier. Common in Mexico; limited range in U.S. Typically seen foraging on the ground. Listen for song; a series of sharp notes that speeds up towards the end.
BELIZE HABITAT - Arid and semiarid broadleaf and pine forest edge, second-growth scrub.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common resident on mainland south to north west and south east Orange Walk, north east Cayo, south west Belize and north east Stann Creek. Records from farther south and west should be carefully documented. Some birds in north Orange Walk appear to be hybrids between this and Green-Backed Sparrow. Further study is needed.

Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrow - Large and boldly patterned sparrow. Look for unique black, white, and rufous face pattern, brighter on adults and duller on immatures. Favors open areas with scattered trees when breeding; often forms flocks in brushy areas in winter. Usually feeds on the ground and flies up into trees when disturbed. In flight, notice long tail with broad white corners.
BELIZE HABITAT - Ground to canopy; open habitats usually with scattered trees.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Occasional autumn transient (September & October); once in winter at Crooked Tree Belize on Feb. 27, 1998.

Vesper Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow - Large, drab, streaky sparrow of grasslands, second growth, and bare ground. Most distinctive in flight, when it flashes white outer tail feathers. Also note the thin white eyering and rufous shoulder (often hidden). Forages mainly on the ground. Song usually starts with a couple clear introductory notes, followed by a series of trills and chips.
BELIZE HABITAT - Grasslands, fallow fields, brush.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
One recorded in Punta Gorda on Aug. 26, 2001.

Clay-Colored Sparrow

Clay Colored Sparrow

Clay Colored Sparrow - Small, slender, and incredibly cute sparrow. Subtly patterned with pale gray and buff overall. Face usually looks crisp and clean. Most similar to Chipping and Field Sparrows, but note combination of white supercilium, plain lores, and buffy rump. Song is a series of low, insect-like buzzes. Breeds mostly in grasslands with shrubs; winters in any open, brushy, or weedy area.
BELIZE HABITAT - Ground and low-level strata; open areas with scattered woody vegetation.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Three records: central Ambergris Caye on Sept. 25, 1996; south Ambergris Caye on Oct. 21, 1996; Payne's Creek Toledo Late September or early October in 2001.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow - Small, slender sparrow with short bill and long, narrow tail. Plain grayish breast with rusty cap in breeding season. Common in suburban areas, particularly golf courses, parking lots and areas with short trees in grassy areas. In winter, beware similar Clay-colored, American Tree, and Brewer's Sparrows, but look for gray rump and dark eyeline in front of eye. Visits feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Ground to sub-canopy; pine woodland.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common resident from east Orange Walk south to north east Toledo and in Mountain Pine Ridge. One spring and one autumn sight record for Half Moon Caye. These may pertain to North America migrants rather than strays from the mainland, given that there are no other records in Belize away from nesting area.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow - Small, short-tailed, flat-headed sparrow found in weedy grasslands. Warm buffy coloration with clean unstreaked breast. Thin white eyering and yellow patch above eye. Back and wings are patterned with gray and rufous. Easy to see when singing atop a shrub, but can be very secretive much of the year. Best detected by its dry, insect like trill preceded by a few introductory notes. Typically not in flocks.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow - Slightly smaller than Song Sparrow, with finer streaking on breast. Also note thin pale eyering, bright buffy breast that contrasts with white belly, and often peaked crown. Prefers thickets and shrubby areas. Beware of juvenile Song Sparrows in late summer, which can look buffy and show finer streaks than adults. Infrequently visits feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory; fallow fields, roadside brush, low second growth, forest edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Occasional transient and regular winter visitor, mid-October to mid-April.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow - Plumage varies, but usually shows distinctive yellow patch in front of eye. Also note streaky breast and short tail, because not all individuals have yellow. Breeds in open areas including meadows and hayfields. Found in more open habitats than Song Sparrow; also smaller and shorter-tailed. Very rare at feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Ground and understory; fallow fields, flooded and dry meadows.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Occasional winter visitor; late October to early April.

Botteri's Sparrow

Botteri's Sparrow - Rather large sparrow with flat head and long bill. Dull brownish overall with darker streaks on back; subtle head pattern with slightly darker crown and eyeline. Primarily a Mexican species with two populations, both of which barely enter the U.S.; western birds brighter than eastern birds. Prefers grasslands with some shrubs. Shy, but perches conspicuously when singing. Similar to Cassin's Sparrow; note flatter head, longer bill, lack of eyering, and voice. Gives a series of sharp varied chips and a fast trill; much different than Cassin's sweet song.
BELIZE HABITAT - Open pine and pine oak calabash savannas.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Uncommon to fairly common resident from north and east Orange Walk, south east to central Belize, and extreme northeast Cayo. A bird collected (17 miles) north west Monkey River on June 19, 1963 may represent a separate (perhaps now extirpated) population center, as recent searches for this species in this area have failed to locate it.

Rusty Sparrow

Rusty Sparrow - Rather large and bulky sparrow of foothills, also found locally in highlands and lowlands. Occurs in brushy woodland, forest edge, and overgrown clearings, especially in areas with oak and pine-oak woodland; locally in areas with humid evergreen forest. Usually rather skulking, on or near the ground, but sings from more conspicuous perches in bushes and trees. Note large size, big bill, which is black above and blue-gray below, strong face pattern with a bold black whisker, and rusty wings and tail.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory and low-level strata; pine forest edge; less often, open broadleaf woodland edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Common resident in Mountain Pine Ridge and coastal plain from east central Stann Creek to north east Toledo. Recorded once at Jalacte Toledo on Belize-Guatemala border, where a small disjunct population may exist.

Dickcissel

Dickcissel - Sparrowlike bird known for gathering in enormous wintering flocks in South America. Males are striking with yellow breast, black patch on throat, and rufous shoulders. Females duller but usually show faint ghost of male's yellow pattern and rufous shoulders. Breeds in grasslands. Feeds on seeds and insects. Wanders during migration and is sometimes found out-of-place among flocks of House Sparrows. Call is a flatulent, buzzy "fpppt," often given in flight.
BELIZE HABITAT - Rice fields, fallow fields, second growth scrub.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to locally very common spring transient, late March to mid-May, and locally common autumn transient at least along coast, mid-August to mid-November.

Yellow-Faced Grassquit

Yellow Faced Grassquit

Yellow Faced Grassquit - Very small bird of grassy and weedy areas in tropical and subtropical areas. Male is striking, with rich yellow eyebrow and throat set off by a black face and breast; extent of black on breast variable (less extensive on Cozumel Island birds). Female is notably drab olive overall but shows a ghosting of male’s face pattern; note the conical gray bill, unlike the stubby bill of seedeaters and female buntings.
BELIZE HABITAT - Roadside thickets, orchards, second growth scrub.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Relatively recent colonist from Peten District, Guatemala. First recorded in late 1970's or early 1980's, and now locally common to very common in south half of country away from coast and mountains. Recently reported from Gallon Jug in south west Orange Walk. The pattern of occurrence and chronology of records suggest that it spread into Belize along at least two fronts, the Western Highway in west Cayo and the San Antonio Road in west Toledo.

Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill - Stocky, large-headed finch with unique crossed bill used to pry seeds out of conifer cones. Males are dull red or orange overall with gray or brown highlights. Females are dull olive-yellow. Immatures are streakier than adults. Look for brownish wings with no wingbars. Different populations feed on different types of conifer seeds. Nomadic; breeds at any time of year, whenever there is enough food available. Often in small flocks. Rarely visits feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Canopy to ground; pine forest.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Uncommon resident in Mountain Pine Ridge with isolated records from near the Belize Zoo (Belize) and Hill Bank Orange Walk.

Lesser Goldfinch

Lesser Goldfinch - Tiny yellowish finch. Blackish conical bill is stout, but sharply pointed. Long wings are black with one white wingbar and large white patch at the base of the primaries. Small head. Short notched tail. Adult males have either green or black (Texas to South America) back. Regularly visits feeders. Females similar to American Goldfinch; note bill shape and color, usually more yellowish undertail coverts, less distinct wingbars, and more obvious white patch at base of primaries.
BELIZE HABITAT - Low level to canopy; most open areas, including fallow fields, towns and villages, second growth scrub.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Small, recently established resident population in vicinity of Trinidad, August Pine Ridge, and Carmelita in north Orange Walk. First reported in 1998.

Black Headed Siskin

Black Headed Siskin - Attractive small finch of highlands and foothills, mainly in drier habitats. Favors pine-oak forests, edges, and adjacent weedy clearings. Usually in small groups, which may associate with other finches and small seed-eating birds, especially when coming to drink. Adult is boldly patterned black and yellow with black hood and big yellow wing patch. Immature duller, without black hood; resembles female Lesser Goldfinch but note the yellow wing patches and pointed gray bill.
BELIZE HABITAT - Canopy and subcanopy; pine forest interior and edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Common resident in Mountain Pine Ridge; once at Money Bay Belize.

Grassland Yellow Finch

Grassland Yellow Finch - Small yellowish bird, very local in tropical savannas and open grassland with scattered bushes and palmetto shrubs. Usually in groups, sometimes in fairly big flocks. Feeds mainly in grasses, eating seeds, and comes to drink at small pools; often perches on roadside fences. Note the rather stubby gray bill, yellow face and underparts, and streaked back. There are no especially similar species in Mexico and Central America, but several in South America.
BELIZE HABITAT - Seasonally flooded savannas, fallow fields.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Locally common resident, but to some degree nomadic. Two, possible three distinct population centers: central Belize to extreme north east Cayo; south east Stann Creek to north east Toledo; and possibly north central Orange Walk near Blue Creek, where a flock was recorded on one occasion. One record of dispersing juv. at Punta Gorda on Nov. 3, 2001. More exploration of grassland savannas and fallow fields in other areas may well turn up additional populations. Discovered in Belize in 1971 and, until recently, known only from two small areas north and west of Belize City. It is not know if the species is expanding its range or is only now being found in long established areas seldom visited by birders until recently.

House Sparrow

House Sparrow - Widespread and abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms. Avoids dense woods. Flocks cluster in dense bushes, bustling around and chattering to one another. Males have smart black bibs, bright rufous napes, and stunningly patterned wings with brilliant buffs and browns. Underparts are pale pearly-gray. Females are plain brown with cute face and lighter eyebrow. Native to Eurasia; introduced to much of the rest of the world.
BELIZE HABITAT - Urban; nests under eaves in buildings.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Small resident populations in Punta Gorda (since at least mid-1980's), Dangriga (since mid-1990's), and Pomona/Alta Vista Stann Creek (since late 1990's). Also reported occsionaly in Belmopan, San Ignacio, and Belize City.

White-Crowned Sparrow

White Crowned Sparrow

White Crowned Sparrow - Large, long-tailed sparrow. Breast is plain gray without streaks. Bill color varies from yellow to pink, but always brighter than White-throated Sparrow. Adults have bold black-and-white head pattern and are gray from throat to belly. Immatures are browner. Often in brushy areas, hopping on ground or in low shrubs. Visits feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Ground and low level strata; open areas with scattered trees, fallow fields.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
One record: Ambergris Caye on October 28, 1988.