Botteri's sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow. This passerinebird is primarily found in Mexico, with a breeding range that extends into the southeastern tip of the U.S. state of Arizona, and a small non-migratory population in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas, which is threatened by loss of habitat. It was not found in Arizona between the 1890s and the mid-20th century due to excessive grazing of livestock; now it is locally common in its Arizona range due to recovery of vegetation. Juvenile birds apparently need dense vegetation to hide in during fledging; the uncommon native sacaton grassSporobolus wrightii is preferred, but stands of introduced non-native Lehmann lovegrass and Boer lovegrass are also successfully utilized, though at lower population densities. The name of this species commemorates the ornithologist Matteo Botteri.
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