The **Rufous-collared Sparrow** (*Zonotrichia capensis*), also known as Chincol or Copetón, is a species of **Neotropical passerine bird** belonging to the **Emberizidae family**.
It is the only species in this genus among the so-called “American sparrows” of the Zonotrichia genus. Although it **bears certain similarities to the House Sparrow**, it is distinguished by its tuft with black stripes and a less rounded figure.
Characteristics and behavior of the Rufous-collared Sparrow
This small bird measures between 13 and 15 cm in length and is characterized by having a **short, straight beak**. The crown and face are gray, with a distinctive black band. The throat is white, and it presents a visible cinnamon or reddish-brown collar on the nape.
The belly and chest are light brown or whitish, with darker reflections, while the sides have a grayish tinge. **The back of the Rufous-collared Sparrow is brown**, with black spots, and both the wings and tail have a darker tone. Juvenile specimens have a more uniform plumage, with darker mottling on the chest.
The Rufous-collared Sparrow is a restless and fast-flying bird, while on the ground, it moves in short hops. Although it spends much of its time in **trees and shrubs**, it comes down to the ground to collect its main source of food: **seeds and worms**.
It inhabits a wide variety of environments, from meadows and steppes to forests, agricultural plantations, and urban areas. It remains **active well into the night**, so its song can be heard even when other birds have stopped singing.
This song is exclusive to the male, and although the theme varies among individuals, the trill has a common characteristic within a population group, allowing the female to identify her partner.
An interesting fact about **its song is that it is passed down from generation to generation**; fledglings learn it between 10 and 40 days of age by listening to the adults’ song in their group. Furthermore, it varies depending on the region it is in, meaning that the Rufous-collared Sparrow from northern Argentina does not sing the same as the one from Patagonia.
Popular beliefs and legends
In various regions of Argentina, the Rufous-collared Sparrow has been the subject of different **popular beliefs** attributing certain omens to it. In the Río de la Plata region, this species is considered a **bird of good omen** and an announcer of visits when it walks through the yard chirping.
Its nocturnal song is interpreted as a weather forecast for good weather. On the other hand, **in northwestern Argentina**, it is believed that when a flock of Rufous-collared Sparrows approaches a house, a storm is approaching. And if it sings at night, it is a sign that strong winds are coming.
The Rufous-collared Sparrow has inspired several stories and legends not only throughout Argentine territory but also beyond. Some of the best-known tales are:
- A local story tells that **the Rufous-collared Sparrow was a guitarist** who, upon hearing a stranger sing like him, broke his guitar and killed him. After being captured, he managed to escape but retained the attributes of his condition: the striped cap and the crickets on his feet, which force him to walk in short hops.
- According to **a Uruguayan legend**, on one occasion, a group of countrymen was traveling in a cart to found a new town when Aná, an evil force, sent them a great flood. Only the carter managed to save himself, clinging to a branch of a ombú tree. As punishment, that entity transformed him into a small bird, which remains on the ombú branches, from where he whistles at the oxen he no longer has and mocks the entity that punished him.
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