arofan.gregory
Member
Folks:
I was birding at Agua Calientes Park in Tucson this afternoon, and saw a sparrow which can only have been a chipping sparrow - it had a plain grey breast, white stripes above a strong black eye-stripe, somewhat muted white "mustache", and a striped crown (like the non-breeding form of the bird). It was feeding in the dirt about 20 feet from me, and it stayed there for easily five minutes - I got a good look at it.
Problem is, chipping sparrows are supposed to be at an elevation of 5000+ feet this time of year, not at 2500. The only similar bird I am aware of is the clay-colored sparrow, but this bird is only ever in this part of the world during winter.
Any idea what it could be? I am not an expert in sparrows, but this did not fit anything I could get from Sibleys, Petersons, or my local bird books.
Any help is appreciated!
Cheers,
A. Gregory
I was birding at Agua Calientes Park in Tucson this afternoon, and saw a sparrow which can only have been a chipping sparrow - it had a plain grey breast, white stripes above a strong black eye-stripe, somewhat muted white "mustache", and a striped crown (like the non-breeding form of the bird). It was feeding in the dirt about 20 feet from me, and it stayed there for easily five minutes - I got a good look at it.
Problem is, chipping sparrows are supposed to be at an elevation of 5000+ feet this time of year, not at 2500. The only similar bird I am aware of is the clay-colored sparrow, but this bird is only ever in this part of the world during winter.
Any idea what it could be? I am not an expert in sparrows, but this did not fit anything I could get from Sibleys, Petersons, or my local bird books.
Any help is appreciated!
Cheers,
A. Gregory