Habitat
In B. C., nesting reported from 340 to 2,040 m in arid, subalpine, or alpine shrublands (Campbell et al. 2001). In the far north B. C., frequents open, grass-covered areas near and above timberline with clumps of mountain- heather, subalpine fir, and waist-high scrub birch and taller willow shrubs (Swarth 1926). Also, occurs in shrubby montane valleys dominated by low-growing willow, dwarf birch, and shrubs (Doyle et al. 1997).
References
Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart-Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser, A. C. Stewart, and M. C. E. McNall. 2001. The Birds of British Columbia. Volume 4. Passerines: wood-warblers through Old World sparrows. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. 739 pages.
Doyle, T. J. 1997. The Timberline Sparrow, Spizella (breweri) taverneri, in Alaska, with notes on breeding habitat and vocalizations. Western Birds 28:1-12.
Swarth, H.S. 1926. Report on a collection of birds and mammals from the Atlin region, northern British Columbia. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 30(4):51-162.
