The rusty-crowned ground sparrow (Melozone kieneri) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae that is endemic to western and southwestern Mexico.

The species occurs both in the Sierra Madre Occidental range, and the Cordillera Neovolcanica mountain belt.

The rusty-crowned ground sparrow's natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.

The adult has a rufous crown with white lore spot and its face is olive brown with white eye ring while the upper parts grayish olive.

Its throat and underparts are white with a black central chest spot and the undertail covers are pale cinnamon.