Behavior

Saffron-billed Sparrow ranges on or close to the ground, hopping on the ground while foraging, or perching in low scrub and bushes (Canevari and Acindar 1991). One observation noted that the Saffron-billed Sparrow “nimbly travels the scrub, giving short jumps and searching for food” (Canevari and Acindar 1991).

In Argentina, Saffron-billed Sparrow has been observed foraging on the ground and in small shrubs (below 1.5 m) for insects, seeds, and fruit (Zurita and Zuleta 2009).

Saffron-billed Sparrow has been described as territorial, but little additional information is available (Short 1975).

No information available; presumably is at least socially monogamous.

Saffron-billed Sparrows are most often solitary or in pairs, but also may associate with mixed species flocks (Canevari and Acindar 1991, Pearman 1993).

In a survey of 81 nests in Argentina, daily predation rates were 0.018 ± 0.005 SE during incubation and 0.037 ± 0.009 SE during the nestling period, with an overall daily predation rate during the nesting period of 0.026 ± 0.005 SE (Auer et al. 2007).