Five-striped Sparrow

The five-striped sparrow (Amphispizopsis quinquestriata) is a medium-sized species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found in the U. S. state of Arizona and in Mexico. == Taxonomy and systematics == The five-striped sparrow has a complicated taxonomic history. It was formally described in 1868 with the binomial Zonotrichia quinquestriata. It was later reassigned to genus Amphispiza and by 1934 was reassigned to genus Aimophila. In 2010 it was returned to Amphispiza and shared that genus with the black-throated sparrow (A. bilineata). In 2021 a new genus Amphispizopsis was erected for it and most taxonomic systems recognize it as the only species in that genus. However, as of late 2025 BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World retains it in Amphispiza. The five-striped sparrow has two subspecies, the nominate A. q. quinquestriata (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1868) and A. q. septentrionalis (Van Rossem, 1934). == Description == The five-striped sparrow is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long and weighs about 20 g (0.71 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a mostly grayish head with a purple tinge. They have a purplish gray-brown crown. Their English…