possible Sprague's Pipit at CFO

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Chip Clouse

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May 26, 2009, 6:14:43 PM5/26/09

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Co Birders,

I noticed that the reported Sprague’s Pipit from CFO made the rare-bird list. It was my trip that found the beastie in question and I am still kicking myself for not trying to get a photo of the bird. At least 4 of us got really good looks, but as I have ZERO experience with this species, and it seems extremely unlikely this far south and west at this time of year, I would be negligent if I said it was undeniably a SPPI. The legs were pinkish, the back was streaked, the breast had a faint “necklace” of streaks as described by Sibley, there were faint whitish wingbars, and the eye was big and dark in the middle of a pale buffy face. We looked at Nat Geo, Sibley’s and Ted Floyd’s Smithsonian Guide and I really can’t think of anything else it could be but I’m not willing to stake my life on it. I just wish I had a bit more of the photographer’s bug in me so I would have something worth reviewing by other more qualified birders. Soooo…. My advice to birders is to bring a camera birding with you and actually use it if an ID is in question.

Good birding,

Chip Clouse

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Birders’ Exchange Coordinator

American Birding Association

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