The olive sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) is a small songbird found in the Americas. Measuring between 4.7 to 5.5 inches (12 to 14 cm) in length and weighing 0.4 to 0.6 ounces (12 to 17 grams), the olive sparrow is a tiny bird. Its size can be compared to common sparrows found in backyards. In this article, we will explore the key physical traits and size measurements of the olive sparrow to understand just how small this songbird is.
Weight
The olive sparrow weighs between 0.4 to 0.6 ounces (12 to 17 grams) on average. This makes it a very lightweight bird, even among other sparrow species. For comparison, a chipping sparrow weighs about 0.4 ounces while a song sparrow weighs approximately 1 ounce. The olive sparrow is on the smaller end of the spectrum for sparrows in terms of weight. Its light frame allows it to flit through bushes and trees to forage for food.
Length
From beak to tail, the olive sparrow measures 4.7 to 5.5 inches (12 to 14 cm) in length. This puts it on the smaller size range for sparrows in general. The chipping sparrow, for example, ranges from 4.3 to 5.5 inches long. So while the olive sparrow is not the absolute smallest sparrow species, it falls on the more petite end of the scale. Its compact size aids its movement through dense underbrush.
Wingspan
Stretching from wingtip to wingtip, the olive sparrow has a wingspan of approximately 6.3 to 7.9 inches (16 to 20 cm). Relative to its body length, its wingspan is broad, typical of songbirds adept at flight. The wings are rounded and allow the olive sparrow to engage in bounding, fluttering flights through its habitat. Compared to other sparrows, the olive sparrow has a similar wingspan, as most small sparrows have a wingspan between 5 to 8 inches across.
Size Comparisons
To better understand the minute size of the olive sparrow, it helps to see how it measures up against more familiar birds:
Olive Sparrow vs. Robin
– Olive sparrow length: 4.7 – 5.5 inches
– Robin length: 8.7 – 11 inches
The American robin is a much larger bird, nearly twice as long as the olive sparrow. Robins are bulky songbirds with a weight of 2.7 ounces, dwarfing the slim olive sparrow.
Olive Sparrow vs. Sparrow
– Olive sparrow length: 4.7 – 5.5 inches
– House sparrow length: 5.9 – 6.3 inches
While house sparrows are considered small birds, they are still slightly bigger than olive sparrows in terms of length. However, house sparrows weigh up to 1.1 ounces, nearly double the olive sparrow’s diminutive weight.
Olive Sparrow vs. Hummingbird
– Olive sparrow length: 4.7 – 5.5 inches
– Ruby-throated hummingbird length: 2.8 – 3.5 inches
Hummingbirds are tiny, fast-flying birds. The ruby-throated hummingbird is much smaller than the olive sparrow in length. However, it weighs only 0.1 ounces, a fraction of the weight of an olive sparrow. The hummingbird’s wispy build contrasts the sparrow’s plumper body.
Key Physical Traits
In addition to its compact measurements, the olive sparrow has some distinguishing physical features:
Plump Body
The olive sparrow has a rounded, plump body shape typical of sparrows. This contrasts the slender, wispy body of a hummingbird or lean shape of a finch. The sparrow’s full body profile accommodates flight muscles and also stores fat for energy.
Short Tail
Like most sparrows, the olive sparrow has a particularly short tail. Its tail measures only 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6 cm) in length. The short tail does not hinder the olive sparrow’s ability to maneuver through dense habitat.
Conical Bill
Sparrows have conical bills optimized for eating seeds and grains. The olive sparrow has a short, pointed beak only about 0.5 inches long. This allows it to crack open seeds and pick out insects.
Streaked Plumage
The olive sparrow has modest brown plumage with white streaks on its breast and white wing bars. This drab coloration provides camouflage in the dense understory of its environment. The plumage is a trademark of sparrows that forage on the ground.
Habitat and Range
The olive sparrow’s small size is well-adapted to its habitat needs and range:
Habitat
Olive sparrows live in dry, dense underbrush in semi-open areas. They favor thickets of mesquite, acacia, vines, bushes, and scrubby trees. Their small size allows them to hop quickly through this tangled habitat.
Range
Found in Mexico and the southern United States, olive sparrows live across the west coast, through the Southwest, and into Texas. They reside mainly in hot, arid landscapes. The sparrow’s diminutive size reduces its need for resources like water in its desert environments.
Diet
The olive sparrow’s diet consists of:
Seeds
A major portion of the olive sparrow’s diet is small grass and weed seeds. Its conical bill efficiently cracks open seeds.
Insects
Olive sparrows also eat insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, and grasshoppers. Their small size allows them to pick tiny insects out of crevices in vegetation.
Fruit
Fruits and berries provide an important food source when available. Olives are favored, as hinted by the bird’s name.
The olive sparrow’s modest size suits its needs for flitting through brush to find dispersed food. Its lightweight body and short wings provide agility in its habitat. While petite, the olive sparrow’s size equips it well for its niche in arid American landscapes. Understanding its dimensions allows us to appreciate the adaptations of this tiny songbird.
Conclusion
In summary, the olive sparrow is one of the smaller sparrow species, averaging 4.7 to 5.5 inches long and weighing just 0.4 to 0.6 ounces. It has a wingspan between 6 to 8 inches across to facilitate flight through dense underbrush. Key traits like its plump body, short tail, and conical beak aid its lifestyle. The olive sparrow’s modest measurements suit its existence living and foraging in the arid scrublands of the Americas. Its diminutive size fills an important ecological role as an insect-eater in these habitats. While tiny, the olive sparrow is a fierce and scrappy songbird well-equipped for survival. Understanding the olive sparrow’s petite but powerful physicality allows us to gain appreciation for this small species.
