General Description: Bell's Sparrows (Artemisiospiza belli) are small, sexually monomorphic, sparrows with a brown-gray head, a white eyeline ahead of the eye, and a white eyering. The throat is white with a heavy gular stripe. The breast is white and unstreaked with a dark central spot. The bill and tail are black. The back is lightly streaked or unstreaked.

In separating Bell's Sparrows from Sagebrush Sparrows during winter, Bell's Sparrows have a darker, brownish head (not gray; can appear blue), a faintly streaked or unstreaked back (not well-streaked), and the gular stripe is heavy (not light).

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae. Formerly Amphispiza belli. The species recently has been split to two species: Bell's Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli) and Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis).

Residency: Resident.

Favored Habitat: Open desert with shrubs. Generally speaking, Bell's Sparrow breed in more southerly areas (Mojave Desert, southern California, and coastal California) in saltbrush habitats, while Sagebrush Sparrows breed in sagebrush areas (the Great Basin). Both species winter in the deserts around Las Vegas.

Where to Find: Red Rock Canyon NCA and Corn Creek on the Desert National Wildlife Range. They are also common in the Arrow Canyon Range. Check the saltbrush flats along the access road to Corn Creek for breeding and wintering birds.

Comments: Bell's Sparrows tend to run on the ground hiding behind bushes, and when running, they hold their tail cocked upward like a Northern Mockingbird. Sometimes Bell's Sparrows can be found alone, but usually there are found in small flocks where they constantly squabble and chatter among themselves.