Artemisiospiza belli clementeae

San Clemente Bell's sparrow

(c) Vincent Weber, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence

Family: Passerellidae · Class: Aves · Order: Passeriformes

Conservation status: G5T2Q S2

Artemisiospiza belli clementeae (San Clemente Bell's sparrow) is a California animal in the Passerellidae family.

The San Clemente Bell's sparrow is a small passerine bird endemic to San Clemente Island, California. This subspecies of Bell's sparrow displays the typical sparrow morphology with a compact body, conical bill adapted for seed-eating, and cryptic plumage. Adults measure approximately 12-14 centimeters (4.7-5.5 inches) in length. The plumage consists of brown and gray tones with streaked upperparts and pale underparts, providing effective camouflage within the island's shrub habitat. The San Clemente Bell's sparrow is restricted entirely to San Clemente Island, the southernmost of California's Channel Islands, located approximately 68 kilometers (42 miles) west of San Diego. This represents the most geographically limited distribution of any Bell's sparrow subspecies. The subspecies evolved in isolation on this 147-square-kilometer island, developing distinct characteristics that distinguish it from mainland populations. The species inhabits the island's native shrubland communities, particularly areas dominated by coastal sage scrub vegetation. These habitats are characterized by drought-tolerant shrubs adapted to the island's Mediterranean climate. The sparrows utilize dense shrub cover for nesting and foraging, requiring intact native plant communities that provide both food resources and protective cover. Elevation ranges from sea level to the island's higher terrain. San Clemente Bell's sparrows are year-round residents that do not migrate. According to NatureServe, the breeding season extends from mid-March through mid-June, with incubation lasting 13-14 days. A 1986 study documented good nesting success, with an average of two young fledging per successful nest. Nests are constructed within dense shrub cover, including placement in cacti as documented in Birds of the World. The species feeds primarily on seeds and small arthropods, foraging on the ground beneath shrub canopies and among leaf litter. The San Clemente Bell's sparrow was federally listed as threatened in 1977, primarily due to severe habitat loss on San Clemente Island. At the time of listing, the species was classified under the nomenclature Amphispiza belli clementeae, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife records. The current global rank of G5T2Q indicates that while the full species is secure, this subspecies faces considerable risk. Habitat degradation resulted from decades of military activities, introduced herbivores, and invasive plant species that altered the island's native vegetation communities. Recovery efforts have focused on habitat restoration, removal of feral ungulates, and invasive species control. The species requires continued management to ensure population viability, as its extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, wildfire, and other stochastic events that could affect the entire population.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.