Sagebrush Sparrow

The sagebrush sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found in Mexico and the United States. == Taxonomy and systematics == The sagebrush sparrow has a complicated taxonomic history. It was formally described in 1874 as a subspecies of what was then Bell's sparrow; it was assigned the trinomial Poospiza belli nevadensis and the name "Artemisia sparrow". Bell's sparrow was later reassigned to genus Amphispiza that had also been erected in 1874 and was also given the new English name "sage sparrow". In 2007 the new genus Artemisiospiza was suggested for the sage sparrow and in 2011 it was formally erected. Taxonomic systems began adopting the new assignment in 2012. In 2013 taxonomic systems split Artemisiospiza nevadensis from Artemisiospiza belli, gave it the English name sagebrush sparrow, and restored the English name "Bell's sparrow" to A. belli. The sagebrush sparrow is monotypic. == Description == The sagebrush sparrow is about 12 to 15 cm (4.7 to 5.9 in) long and weighs about 15 to 22 g (0.53 to 0.78 oz). Males are larger than females but the sexes have the same plumage. Adults in fresh plumage have a mostly…