Russet sparrow

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Russet sparrow
Male (above) and female (below) in Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Genus: Passer
Species:
P. cinnamomeus
Binomial name
Passer cinnamomeus
(Gould, 1836)
The year-round range extends along the southern Himalayas into southern China, as well as Taiwan, southwestern Korea, and central Japan. The summer range is further north in China, Korea, and Japan, and also includes Sakhalin. The winter range extends further south in China, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
Distribution of russet sparrow:
  Summer range
  Winter range
  Year-round range
Synonyms
List
  • Fringilla rutilans Temminck, 1836
  • Pyrgita cinnamomea Gould, 1836
  • Passer rutilans Temminck, 1836
  • Passer russatus Temminck and Schegel, 1850

The russet sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus), also called the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. A chunky little seed-eating bird with a thick bill, it has a body length of 14 to 15 cm (5.5–5.9 in). Its plumage is mainly warm rufous above and grey below. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with the plumage of both sexes patterned similarly to that of the corresponding sex of house sparrow. Its vocalisations are sweet and musical chirps, which when strung together form a song.

Three

terrace cultivation. The russet sparrow is the typical sparrow of human habitations in towns where the house and Eurasian tree sparrows
are absent. In the southern part of its range, the russet sparrow prefers higher altitudes, but in the north it breeds by the sea. The russet sparrow is known well enough in the Himalayas to have a distinct name in some languages, and is depicted in Japanese art.

This sparrow feeds mainly on the

eggs
. Both sexes incubate and feed the young.

Taxonomy

The English ornithologist

binomial name Pyrgita cinnamomea. His description was included in the volume of the society's proceedings for 1835 that was published on 8 April 1836.[2][3][4] Its specific name comes from the Neo-Latin cinnamomeus, "cinnamon-coloured".[5] The russet sparrow was described as Fringilla rutilans, by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck, from a specimen collected in Japan.[6] Temminck's description is contained in his Nouveau recueil de planches coloriées d'oiseaux which was issued in 102 livraisons or parts between 1820 and 1839. It was at one time believed that the livraison containing the description of the russet sparrow was issued in 1835 but it has now been established that it appeared sometime in 1836 but as the precise date is not known under the rules of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature it is deemed to have been published on 31 December 1836.[4][7] Most taxonomists give priority to Gould's publication and use the binomial name Passer cinnamomeus for the russet sparrow.[8][9][10]

The russet sparrow has usually been placed in the genus Passer, and within this genus it is seen as a part of the "Palearctic black-bibbed sparrow" group, which includes the Eurasian tree sparrow as well as the house sparrow. It has generally been seen as a close relation of the house sparrow, and Richard Meinertzhagen even considered it to be the same species as the Somali sparrow, one of the house sparrow's closest relatives.[11][12]

However, studies of

Yangtze valley, which Summers-Smith considered the most likely centre of evolution for the russet sparrow.[15][16]

Thirteen

Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.[18][19][20] In a large part of Sichuan intensior intergrades with P. c. rutilans, and a number of subspecies names have been proposed for the intergrades.[18] The nominate subspecies cinnamomeus, described by Gould from the northwestern Himalayas, breeds from northern Arunachal Pradesh to Nuristan in Afghanistan.[2][18]

Description

The russet sparrow is a small chunky bird, with plumage warm rufous in overall colour. It is a medium-sized sparrow at 14 to 15 cm (5.5–5.9 in) and 18 to 22.5 grams (0.63–0.79 oz).[11][17] It has a thick bill suited to eating seeds, which is black on the breeding male, horn-coloured on the non-breeding male, and yellowish with a dark tip on the female.[15] Wingspans for males range between 6.8 to 8.2 cm (2.7–3.2 in) and those for females from 6.7 to 7.7 cm (2.6–3.0 in). Tail, bill, and tarsus lengths are 4.3 to 5.1 cm (1.7–2.0 in), 1.1 to 1.3 cm (0.43–0.51 in), and 1.6 to 1.8 cm (0.63–0.71 in), respectively.[11][17]

Measurements for the russet sparrow vary geographically, between the three subspecies, and also within the Himalayan subspecies cinnamomeus. The subspecies cinnamomeus is generally larger than the others, and within this form there is a tendency for birds at higher altitudes to be larger, and a clinal variation in size with the smallest birds in the west of the range and the largest in the east.[18]

The iris is chestnut in colour.[21] The legs of both sexes are pale brown to pinkish-brown.[15] The flight of all sparrows is swift,[22] and that of the russet sparrow is described as swifter and more direct than that of the Eurasian tree sparrow.[23]

Plumage

An illustration by Philipp Franz von Siebold from Fauna Japonica, in which the russet sparrow was described with the now synonymised name Passer russatus

The sexes differ, or are dimorphic, in their plumage, and have a similar pattern to that in the corresponding sex of house sparrow.[11][17] There is some variation between the three subspecies, especially in the colouration of the underparts. Birds of the subspecies rutilans are off-white on their cheeks and the sides of their necks, and have pale grey underparts.[17] Birds of the subspecies intensior have a pale yellow wash on their underparts and cheeks, as well as darker upperparts, while those of the subspecies cinnamomeus have a heavy yellow tinge to their underparts.[17][24]

Moult is poorly recorded, the only records coming from Sakhalin and Himachal Pradesh. In Sakhalin, moult occurs in August and September, between the breeding season and migration.[25] In Himachal Pradesh, aviculturalist G. A. Perreau observed captive and wild birds and reported that they were yellow from December to spring and whitish during the remainder of the year, a pattern which may be atypical.[26][27][28]

The breeding male is bright

coverts are chestnut, and its median coverts are black at the base with white at the tips. The rest of the wing is light brown with black tinges.[11][17][29] Its tail is blackish brown, edged with ashy brown.[21] The non-breeding male differs little from the breeding male,[30] being paler with more orange upperparts.[11][17] The only species with which the male is easily confused is the Eurasian tree sparrow, which differs in its black cheek spot and brown back.[31]

The female has mostly pale brown upperparts, and pale grey underparts, so it resembles the female house sparrow. It differs from the house sparrow in its slightly darker, russet-tinged plumage. It has a conspicuous cream supercilium from above its eye nearly around its head, and a bold dark brown stripe through its eye. It has mostly greyish brown wings and a back streaked with black and buff.[11][17] The juvenile is similar to the female, though more pale and sandy. As the male reaches its first winter, it resembles the adult, differing in less bold chestnut and a dusky bib.[11][17]

Voice

The russet sparrow's vocalisations are described by most sources as "the sweetest and most musical" of any sparrow.[25] Its basic call is a cheep or chilp, similar to that of other sparrows. This call is monosyllabic, unlike the house sparrow's chirrup call, and is softer than that of the other sparrows.[25] This call is given as a flight call, or by displaying males. Recorded variations include a chweep given by males at the nest and a trilled cheeep.[25] Sometimes the male strings calls together and sings them in a strident tone, to create a sort of short song, transcribed as cheep chirrup cheeweep or chreet-chreet-chreet. The song is interspersed with sibilant chu-swik notes similar to those of the white wagtail.[25][32] A thin swee swee vocalisation not unlike that of an Indian robin has been reported, but the context of this call is unrecorded.[25][32] During territorial disputes, males give a rapid chit-chit-chit call.[25]

Distribution and habitat

Male perching on a thin bare branch among young leaves
Breeding male in Kullu, India
A wintering flock of russet sparrows in Murree, Pakistan

The russet sparrow is found in parts of eastern Asia and in the Himalayas. It is not known whether its distribution is continuous between these two areas, since the political sensitivity of the Brahmaputra River's valley near the China-India border makes the area less accessible to ornithologists.[18] In the Himalayas the russet sparrow breeds from the far northeast of India through southeastern Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh to Kashmir and Nuristan in Afghanistan.[18] Here, the russet sparrow makes short movements to lower altitudes between November and April in many areas.[32]

In eastern Asia, the russet sparrow is found in

Burma, southern Northeast India, Laos, and Vietnam, where it is mostly resident.[18] The russet sparrow also occurs as a winter visitor in southern Japan, the further south of China,[18] and northern Thailand.[33] In eastern Asia, the autumn migration occurs between August and November.[18]

The russet sparrow appears to be abundant in most habitats across most of its very large range,

least concern for global extinction.[1]

Breeding takes place in

Hokkaidō, the russet sparrow finds a greater food supply for its young in more remote forests, and has greater reproductive success.[39][40]

In the Himalayas, it is strongly associated with

terrace cultivation, and it probably only spread to the Himalayas when these agricultural practices arrived 3000 to 4000 years ago.[41] In towns where it occurs alongside the house or tree sparrow, it is found in gardens and less built up areas.[38] In those hill stations in India where both the house and the russet sparrow occur, the house sparrow breeds around more-built up areas and bazaars, whereas the russet sparrow is "rather more up market at the larger houses with gardens and open spaces".[42] In towns where it is the only sparrow, it is not dependent on trees, breeding around houses and eating scraps in streets.[38] In the winter, migratory birds occur in open cultivated land and riverine grasslands, but are never far from shrubs or trees.[38]

Behaviour

Yoshino cherry
blossoms, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan

In many aspects of its behaviour, the russet sparrow is similar to the house and Eurasian tree sparrows. Like them, it feeds on the ground, but spends most of its time perching on branches.[43] Unlike those species, it prefers open, exposed branches for perching.[17] The russet sparrow is described as shy and wary by some observers, but J. Denis Summers-Smith found it approachable in Indian hill stations.[42] Flocking russet sparrows feed close to the ground, moving forward as birds from the rear of a flock move to the front, in what is called "roller feeding".[43]

Outside its breeding season, the russet sparrow is gregarious and forms flocks to find food, though it infrequently associates with other birds.[34][44] Wintering flocks tend to keep away from human habitation. The russet sparrow is also social at night during the winter, and it forms large communal roosts in trees and bushes. In the breeding season, the female roosts in the nests and the male nests in foliage nearby.[43]

The adult russet sparrow is mostly a seed-eater, eating the seeds of herbs and weeds as well as rice, barley, and other grains. Berries, such as those of the kingore (certain Berberis spp.), are also eaten when available.[25] Nestlings are fed mostly on insects, especially caterpillars and larval beetles obtained on trees and flying insects caught by aerial pursuit.[25][40] During the breeding season adults also consume insects.[25][39]

Mortality rates in the russet sparrow have not been studied, but it is known that many young birds die from

chewing lice.[48]

Breeding

The russet sparrow's

breeding season is short, lasting about three months. The Himalayan subspecies cinnamomeus has been recorded breeding from April to August, the nominate subspecies breeds from May to July, and the subspecies intensior is believed to breed in March.[49] During its breeding season, the russet sparrow is not gregarious, and its nests are dispersed uniformly rather than clustered. Its nests are most frequently built in tree cavities, often disused woodpecker nests.[49][50] The russet sparrow has been recorded breeding alongside the Eurasian tree sparrow and white wagtail in black kite nests, taking advantage of the territorial defence of the kites to avoid nest predation.[51] Other nest locations include the eaves of thatched roofs, stone walls and embankments, and electric junction boxes.[49] In Bhutan, it nests in holes in the outer walls of monasteries, often alongside the Eurasian tree sparrow.[32] In Sakhalin, it will sometimes build free-standing nests in bushes. The russet sparrow also uses the disused nests of the red-rumped swallow, and a pair of russet sparrows has been recorded attempting to oust a pair of black-crested tits from their nest.[49]

The male chooses the nest site, and uses it for his courtship display, spending much time calling nearby. When a female comes near a male at his nest the male begins to display by raising his head, drooping his wings, pushing his chest forward, and lowering his tail. He then bows up and down in front of the female, who will lunge and then fly away if unreceptive.[49] Both sexes take part in building the nest, which consists of a loose, untidy bunch of dry grass which fills the nesting cavity, lined with fur and feathers for warmth.[32][49][52]

brood parasite of the russet sparrow.[55]

Relationships with humans

An artwork with a red-capped and reddish-backed little bird flying beside the pink five-petalled blooms and dark green leaves of a hibiscus flower
The c. 1830 woodblock "Hibiscus and Sparrow" by the Japanese artist Hokusai, which portrays the russet sparrow

In parts of the range, the russet sparrow inhabits towns, and in most of its range, it occurs near cultivation, and is a minor pest of agriculture. Though it damages crops, it also feeds its nestlings largely on insect pests.[42][43] In China, the russet sparrow has been recorded as a captive bird, kept with the Eurasian tree sparrow.[44] In Japan it was eaten in the 1870s and sold in the Yokohama game market.[56] The russet sparrow is known well enough in the Himalayas that in most languages it has a different vernacular name from the Eurasian tree sparrow. Examples of these vernacular names include lal gouriya in Hindi and kang-che-go-ma in Tibetan.[57] The Japanese artist Hokusai portrayed the russet sparrow, and due to this, it has appeared on postage stamps featuring Japanese art in Japan, The Gambia, and Guyana.[58]

References

  1. ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Gould, J. (1836). "Characters of several new species of Insessorial Birds, including a new genus (Stenorhynchus)". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (36): 185–187. Dated 1835 on the title page but published in 1836.
  3. ^ Sclater, P. L. (1893). "List of the dates of delivery of the sheets of the 'Proceedings' of the Zoological Society of London, from the commencement in 1830 to 1859 inclusive". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 436–440.
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ Jobling 2009, p. 108
  6. ^ Temminck, Coenraad Jacob (1838). Nouveau recueil de planches coloriées d'oiseaux, pour servir de suite et de complément aux planches enluminées de Buffon (in French). Vol. 3. Paris: F.G. Levrault. Plate 588, Fig. 2. The 5 volumes were originally issued in 102 parts, 1820-1839
  7. ^ Dickinson, E. C. (2001). "Systematic notes on Asian birds. 9. The Nouveau recueil de planches coloriées of Temminck & Laugier (1820–1839)". Zoologische Verhandelingen, Leiden. 335: 7–53.
  8. S2CID 216264691
    . Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  9. .
  10. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2017). "Old World sparrows, snowfinches, weavers". World Bird List Version 8.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 205–206
  12. .
  13. ^
    S2CID 21782750. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 21 July 2011.
  14. ^ González, Javier; Siow, Melanie; Garcia-del-Rey, Eduardo; Delgado, Guillermo; Wink, Michael (2008). Phylogenetic relationships of the Cape Verde Sparrow based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (PDF). Systematics 2008, Göttingen. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011.
  15. ^ .
  16. ^ Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 279–280, 288–290
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Clement, Harris & Davis 1993, pp. 450–451
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 206–210
  19. ^ Rand & Fleming 1957, pp. 200–201
  20. ^ Bangs, Outram (1930). "Types of Birds Now in the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy. LXX.
  21. ^ a b Gee & Moffet 1917, p. 210
  22. ^ Clement, Harris & Davis 1993, p. 4
  23. ^ a b c Baker 1926, p. 181
  24. .
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Summers-Smith 1988, p. 214
  26. ^ Perreau, G. A. (1910). "Change of Plumage in the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus)". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. XIX (4): 986–988.
  27. ^ Perreau, G. A. (May 1909). "The Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow". The Avicultural Magazine. new series. VII (7): 201–205.
  28. ^ Teschemaker, W. E. (May 1909). "On the Nesting of the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow". The Avicultural Magazine. new series. VII (7): 205–208.
  29. ^ Jerdon 1863, p. 365
  30. ^ Oates 1890, p. 241
  31. ^ a b Flint et al. 1984, pp. 295–296
  32. ^ a b c d e Ali & Ripley 1999, pp. 78–79
  33. ^ Robson 2004, p. 125
  34. ^ a b Roberts 1992, pp. 480–481
  35. .
  36. .
  37. .
  38. ^ a b c d e Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 210–211
  39. ^ a b Chae, Hee-Young (1997). "Feeding Behavior of the Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans in Two Different Habitats" (PDF). Korean Journal of Ecology. 20 (6): 405–411. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 October 2011.
  40. ^ .
  41. ^ Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 214–215
  42. ^ a b c Summers-Smith 1992, pp. 100–103
  43. ^ a b c d Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 211–212
  44. ^ a b Vaughan & Jones 1913, pp. 168–169
  45. PMID 17385558
    .
  46. .
  47. .
  48. .
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h Summers-Smith 1988, pp. 212–14
  50. doi:10.2326/osj.1.117. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 30 November 2003.
  51. ^ Takagi, Masaoki; Takahashi, Mitsuhiko. "Three passerine birds bred in the nests of black kites" (PDF). Strix. 15: 127–129. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  52. ^ a b Hume & Oates 1890, pp. 164–165
  53. ^ Whistler 1949, p. 229
  54. ^ Ogilvie-Grant 1912, pp. 206–207
  55. ^ Lowther, Peter E. (25 November 2009). "Host list of avian brood parasites 2: Cuculiformes; Cuculidae" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  56. ^ Blakiston & Pryer 1878, p. 244
  57. ^ Anonymous (1998). "Vernacular Names of the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent" (PDF). Buceros. 3 (1). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2010.
  58. ^ Scharning, Kjell. "Russet Sparrow stamps". Theme Birds on Stamps. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
Works cited

External links