rufous-collared sparrow

bird

Also known as: Zonotrichia capensis

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is a small bird with a wide breeding range, found from Mexico and the Caribbean islands all the way to Tierra del Fuego. It is a member of the Emberizidae family, which includes many sparrow species native to Central and South America.1

Sparrows, in general, are small, seed-eating birds characterized by their conical bills. The term "sparrow" is most commonly associated with birds in the Old World family Passeridae, such as the ubiquitous house sparrow (Passer domesticus). However, it also applies to many New World birds within the Emberizidae family.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

sparrow
The rufous-collared sparrow (Z. capensis) has an exceptionally wide breeding distribution: from Mexico and Caribbean islands to Tierra del Fuego. A great many emberizid sparrows are native to Central and South America. See also accentor.
Read More
The rufous-collared sparrow (Z. capensis) has an exceptionally wide breeding distribution: from Mexico and Caribbean islands to Tierra del Fuego. A great many emberizid sparrows are native to Central and South America. See also accentor.
Read More