Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus

This boldly patterned, highly distinctive, and large-bodied sparrow is a Mexican endemic and the sole member of its genus. It is confined to highland areas, where Striped Sparrow inhabits open pine woodlands and areas of bunch grass. Obvious due to its habits of forming loose groups and perching in the open, for instance on posts or rocks, Striped Sparrow has a rufous crown set off by a very bold white supercilium, and black mask; the underparts are largely whitish, and the upperparts are a mixture of tawny brown, gray and black. The song comprises a series of metallic chipping and beeping notes, followed by a rattling trill that to some ears resembles the call of a female Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater).