The russet sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus) plumage is mainly warm rufous above and grey below. Three subspecies are recognised, differing mainly in the yellowness of its underparts. The subspecies cinnamomeus, which breeds in the Himalayas, has a heavy yellow tinge to its underparts. Rutilans and intensior breed in parts of eastern Asia. Also called the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, it is a chunky little seed-eating bird with a thick bill suited to eating seeds, which is black on the breeding male, horn-coloured on the non-breeding male, and yellowish with a dark tip on the female. The female has more subdued colours – mainly earthy brown with buff underparts.
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