Chipping Sparrow

Description:

Genders are similar with a boldly marked head that includes a white eyebrow, chin and throat. A thin black eye line extends through the lores and well behind the eye. The auriculars and nape are gray. The crown is bright chestnut during the breeding season. The underparts are a plain light gray, and the upperparts are brown streaked heavily with black. The wings are black with brown edges on the feathers and show two thin white wing bars. The rump is gray with blurry black streaks, and the long tail shows a slight notch. In winter, the head and face are less clearly marked and the chestnut cap is replaced with fine brown and black streaks. The eyes are black and the legs and feet are pale in every season. Juveniles have the same basic markings as adults but lack the chestnut crown and show dark blotchy streaks on the underparts.

Habitat:

El Malpais National Monument is a United States National Monument that is located south of I-40 in northwestern New Mexico. The name (meaning "the badlands" in Spanish) comes from the rough, barren lava flow that makes up much of its terrain. El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area was established in 1987. The national monument protects 114,277 acres of volanic landscape, while the adjacent national conservation area protects an additional 263,000 acres. The area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, and historic and archeological sites provide reminders of past times. To this day Indian groups including the Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, and the Ramah Navajo still utilize the park for traditional activities including gathering herbs and medicines, paying respect, and renewing ties.