claycolored sparrow (Spizella pallida)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.5 inches

• Pale, conical bill with dark tip

• Brown crown with dark streaks and pale central stripe

• White supercilium

• Brown cheeks bordered by black

• Pale malar streak with dark whisker

• Gray hindneck

• Pale underparts

• Tan back with dark streaks

• Brown wings with wing bars

• Brown rump

• Slim, forked tail

• Sexes similar

• Immature plumage (fall) similar to adult but has buffy breast, malar          streak and supercilium

• Juvenile plumage (summer) similar to immature but duller with streaked underparts

Similar species:

In Spring and Summer, clay-colored sparrows are similar to Brewer's
sparrows but have a white central crown stripe, dark borders to the
cheeks, distinct supercilium, gray hindneck and a dark whisker. Field
sparrow has a pink bill, rusty crown and a white eye ring. In Fall and
Winter, chipping sparrows are quite similar to clay-colored sparrows.
Often, they retain some rust in the crown and can be identified by that
field mark. Clay-colored sparrows have pale lores, brown rumps, more
distinct whisker and a buffier breast.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Successional-scrub
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 10-12 days
Days to Fledge: 8-9
Number of Broods: 1, often 2
Diet: Mostly seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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