Zapata Sparrow

Torreornis inexpectata Barbour & Peters, JL, 1927

Passerellidae — New World Sparrows

Zapata Sparrow, Torreornis inexpectata, is a passerine found in Cuba, where it breeds. It belongs to the New World sparrows and was described by Barbour and Peters in 1927. The bird is confined to the island, with populations recorded in the Zapata Swamp, Cayo Coco and a coastal area in Guantánamo Province. It is the only member of its genus. The Zapata population lives in extensive sawgrass savannahs, while other populations occupy forests, shrubbery, thorn-scrub and cacti. Its song is a metallic high-pitched trill with quiet tic-tic-tic notes.

Order
Passeriformes
Family
Passerellidae — New World Sparrows
Breeding range
North America: Cuba
Zapata Sparrow
© gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

9 tours in Cuba

Cesar Birding Special — 12-Day Small-Group Birding Tour
Cesar Birding Special — 12-Day Small-Group Birding Tour
Cuba / Havana Group tour 12 days

A twelve-day small-group circuit combining western Cuban birds, La Turba, La Salina and Bermeja with Najasa and two northern cays, capped at...

From USD 2,300 Next: Nov 14, 2026
Cuban Wings — 15-Day Private Birding Tour
Cuban Wings — 15-Day Private Birding Tour
Cuba / Havana Private tour 15 days

Explore Cuba’s western birds, Zapata wetlands and northern cays over fifteen private days, adding Viñales, a botanical-garden stop near T...

From USD 2,730
Birding Days Cuba — 11-Day Private Birding Tour
Birding Days Cuba — 11-Day Private Birding Tour
Cuba / Havana Private tour 11 days

A private Cuba birding circuit from the western hills to Zapata, Najasa and the northern cays, with eleven days of travel and field time and...

From USD 2,080
Private 8-Day Cuba Birding Tour
Private 8-Day Cuba Birding Tour
Cuba / Havana Private tour 8 days

An eight-day private Cuba birding route linking Viñales, La Güira, Zapata Swamp, Cayo Coco and La Belén....

Private 10-Day Cuba Birding Journey
Private 10-Day Cuba Birding Journey
Cuba / Havana Private tour 10 days

A private ten-day Cuba birding route through Soroa, La Güira, Zapata Swamp, La Belén and the northern cays....

Birding with Nils: Full Western Cuba Experience
Birding with Nils: Full Western Cuba Experience
Cuba / Havana Private tour 12 days

A 12-day complete western Cuba birding experience with Nils, adding Trinidad, Camaguey/Najasa and Cayo Coco specialties....

From USD 3,200
Birding Standard with Nils: Western Cuba and Cayo Coco
Birding Standard with Nils: Western Cuba and Cayo Coco
Cuba / Havana and Cayo Coco Private tour 11 days

An 11-day standard Cuba birding itinerary designed to maximize Cuban endemics and key species with efficient logistics....

From USD 2,750
Birding Express with Nils: Western Cuba and Trinidad
Birding Express with Nils: Western Cuba and Trinidad
Cuba / Havana and Trinidad Private tour 10 days

A 10-day Cuba birding express route from Havana through Soroa, Viñales, Zapata and Trinidad....

From USD 2,500
Birding with Nils: Short Western Cuba Itinerary
Birding with Nils: Short Western Cuba Itinerary
Cuba / Havana and Vinales Private tour 7 days

A compact 7-day western Cuba birding itinerary with Nils Navarro, focused on Cuban endemics and key western sites....

From USD 1,850