Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) is in the New World Sparrows family (Passerellidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,298 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Rufous-crowned Sparrow: observations by month (U.S.)
About Rufous-crowned Sparrow
The rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) is a small American sparrow. This passerine is primarily found across the Southwestern United States and much of the interior of Mexico, south to the transverse mountain range, and to the Pacific coast to the southwest of the transverse range. Its distribution is patchy, with populations often being isolated from each other. Twelve subspecies are generally recognized, though up to eighteen have been suggested. This bird has a brown back with...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,951 | April | Dec–Oct |
| Texas | 2,117 | April | Feb–Sep |
| Arizona | 779 | May | Apr–Mar |
| New Mexico | 195 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Oklahoma | 175 | June | Feb–Sep |
| Colorado | 52 | January | Dec–Jan |
| Utah | 16 | April | Dec–Apr |
| Kansas | 12 | September | Sep–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (New World Sparrows)
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Rufous-crowned Sparrow?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from December to September.
Where is Rufous-crowned Sparrow most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Arizona.