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Arizona Sparrow USA (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Photgog
- Start date
An interesting bird. Clay-colored Sparrow would be a major rarity at this location, while chipping and brewers would be expected. I think the malar is too weak and without enough contrast to support a Clay-colored Sparrow ID (especially considering it is out of range), so I would go with chipping, but am open to arguments to the contrary.
Best,
Jim
Best,
Jim
Last edited:
Photgog
Rufous-Female
The Falcon
Registered Birder
I agree with Chipping Sparrow, and Brewer's for the second photo.
Tero
Retired
Are you saying there is a population or subspecies for the desert, or that the same bird can have varying colors?
Think I'm going to change my call on the first bird to first-year white-crowned sparrow. Seems long-tailed and long-necked for chipping. Compare this WCSP: http://www.photobirder.com/Bird_Photos/white_crowned_sparrow_r151.jpg
Got too focused on the clay-colored vs. chipping question and forgot about other possibilities. WCSP is by far the most common sparrow in this area in winter, and they should be around now as well.
Best,
Jim
Got too focused on the clay-colored vs. chipping question and forgot about other possibilities. WCSP is by far the most common sparrow in this area in winter, and they should be around now as well.
Best,
Jim
Last edited:
It's actually both. Desert subspecies tend to be paler and there is a lot of variation within a single subspecies. In this case, the subspecies arizonae, which breeds from roughly the 100th meridian westward, is larger and paler than the passerina s. str. in your area, but an arizonae from the dry woodlands of Arizona, a few miles from Phoenix, is apt to be paler than more abundant wintering birds from, say, Alberta, though those would be paler than your local birds. And of course there's always the possibility of a much darker Pacific coast bird wandering in to confuse things further.
Will
Will
The Falcon
Registered Birder
I see where you are getting the White-crowned Sparrow from. But to me I don't think it looks right for one. The eye-line is not right for a White-crowned (but prefect for 1st winter Chipping), among other things. The bird is in a awkward pose, making it appear longer tailed and longer-necked (IMO).
Photgog
Rufous-Female
I like the information action on this post, and realize that this is a difficult bird. Breeding plumage would be easier.
And yes to the question about subspecies.
Prattw called it. Desert birds are frequently lighter colored. I was not aware that they had been almost cataloged ... and charted, but I'm not surprised.
I really like the exchange going on here... good replies.
Fraser
And yes to the question about subspecies.
Prattw called it. Desert birds are frequently lighter colored. I was not aware that they had been almost cataloged ... and charted, but I'm not surprised.
I really like the exchange going on here... good replies.
Fraser
Also just the angle of the photo. Observing species in the field is the best way to get a feel for them - I guarantee if we all went birding together and saw this guy there'd be no hesitation. 8-P
IME head markings on young sparrows are somewhat variable. Can you elaborate on what aspect of the eye-line you think points towards chipping and away from white-crowned?
Best,
Jim
The Falcon
Registered Birder
Yes. Note a typical first winter Chipping Sparrow eye-line usually curves downward not connecting with the nape (as seen in this photo). While a WCSP eye-line curves toward the nape and connects (unlike the OP's bird).
