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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Sparrow ID help (1 Viewer)

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
 
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