The Russet Sparrow is a chunky bird which
looks much like any typical sparrow. In fact, its markings are very much like
its close cousin, the much more ubiquitous, Eurasian House Sparrow. However,
the male of this species bears plumage which is a shade of brown not often seen
in sparrows, bright cinnamon. The striking bright cinnamon of the male Russet
Sparrow’s back is a diagnostic marking that makes for quick identification in
the field. Accordingly, the Russet Sparrow is often called the “Cinnamon
Sparrow” or “Cinnamon Tree Sparrow.” Like all old world sparrows, this species
is a member of the family, “Passeridae.”
As with many songbirds, this species
exhibits “sexual dimorphism” in its plumage, as the males look much different
than the females. In the case of songbirds, this means that the males are far
more colorful and more attractive than the females.
The Chinese range of the Russet Sparrow
comprises most of its world-wide range. It is found in the eastern half of China from Hong Kong and Taiwan as far north as the Shandong
peninsula, and in Korea and Japan in the East and Northern
India in the West. Throughout most of its Chinese range, the
Russet Sparrow is a resident bird. It is a summer breeding visitor in the
northern parts of its Chinese range.
The Russet Sparrow is a bird of open
woodland and scrub near cultivation. In places where Eurasian Tree Sparrows are
scarce, the Russet Sparrow can fill that bird’s niche in cities and villages.
The Russet Sparrow’s diet consists of mostly
seeds which it collects while foraging on the ground like the Eurasian Tree
Sparrow. In agricultural areas, this species can become a pest as it will
damage grain crops through feeding; however, it will also so kill and collect
many insect pests that damage crops to feed to its growing chicks.
During the breeding season, the male Russet
Sparrow will choose a nesting site from which he will perform his courtship
display. He will bob his head and puff his chest at passing females and
eventually bow to a prospective mate in true Asian style. When a female accepts
his advances, the pair of birds will build a nest in a tree cavity which is
usually the abandoned nest of a woodpecker. The female will lay 5-6
glossy-white eggs. In the northern parts
of their breeding range, Russet Sparrows show a fondness for high altitudes as
nesting sites.
Photo by JM Garg |
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