Unusual sparrow... Teller County

[Jeff J Jones]

All:

 

I had this unusual sparrow at Manitou Lake in Teller County yesterday afternoon. By default, assumption is it should be a Song Sparrow. But, there are dozens, if not hundreds of song sparrows here and I compared pictures of the standard song sparrow that I took to this one and it just isn’t the same. When first looking through binos at this bird, it struck me as odd and I couldn’t be sure that I was looking at a song sparrow. So I snapped a few grainy pictures. It was gettingdark and the sun was setting from behind the subject.

 

What I find odd about this bird

 

·         Upper breast and flank streaking is fine/thin as opposed to the usual thick streaks; more like Lincoln’s Sparrow

·         Strong gray wash on flanks

·         Get the impression of background color at times to the upper breast and flanks

·         Can’t convince myself if there is any loral color or not to this bird; suggestive of Savannah Sparrow.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjjones3860/sets/72157644064428321/

Just seems like an unusual race of Song Sparrow for this area or perhaps some sort of hybrid. It could be suggestive of Savannah or Lincoln’s Sparrow.

 

Wondering what others think?

 

Jeff J Jones

(jjo...@jonestc.com)

Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands

 

[Dave Cameron]

A bit blurry, but looks like Am. Tree Sparrow.

 

Dave Cameron

 

 

[Jeff J Jones]

Thanks all for the many responses. The overwhelming answer is Lincoln’s Sparrow.

 

Jeff J Jones

(jjo...@jonestc.com)

Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands