tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33829234201118736712011-12-08T04:27:56.695-08:00Leslie Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17644613898944360884noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382923420111873671.post-14659624366930100612011-12-08T04:27:00.000-08:002011-12-08T04:27:27.422-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />History in Pima County, Arizona<br /><br />The Rufous-Winged Sparrow in Pima County: This species was first discovered in 1872, near old Fort Lowell, Tucson, where it was described as "very common". In 1881, the sparrow was found:<br />"sparingly about Tucson and Camp Lowell. It inhabited the mesquite thickets, keeping closely hidden in the bunches of 'sacaton' grass, from which, when flushed, it flew into the branches above."<br />After 1886, verified species records were exceedingly rare. The species was considered extinct in Arizona due to overgrazing. The rufous-winged sparrow was rediscovered in 1936, the first record in over fifty years. The sparrow now has records throughout much of eastern Pima County; in Canoa Ranch, Madera Canyon, Santa Rita and Santa Catalina Mountains, and in areas around Tucson. Loss of habitat as a result of overgrazing and urban development is believed to have had the greatest effect on populations.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3382923420111873671-1465962436693010061?l=gr4fis.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Leslie Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17644613898944360884noreply@blogger.com0