ML154093371
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Observation details
Heard only (at around 3000'). Originally had this as canescens due to the song pattern seeming closer to a Sagebrush (though with a clearer tone), but belli appears to be much more likely based on what I can gather from known distribution and habitat of the two subspecies. Using this as reference on their songs: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/tag/bells-sparrow Heard coming from thick chaparral that appeared to be mainly chamise with some white sage. Presumably that would fit better for belli at this location (though Birds of North America says "[p]reference for chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) chaparral appears to occur only in northern part of range"). Still looking for a clear reference as to which subspecies is known to breed in the San Jacinto mountains, though they're mentioned as being "first noted at an altitude of about 3000 feet as we entered the mountains from the west on the stage road [lower portion of control road] following the course of the San Jacinto River" by Grinnell in 1908 (apparently with a somewhat disjunct population in sagebrush near the desert divide / Garner Valley). Garrett & Dunn (1981) say "A. b. belli is an uncommon to fairly common but local resident in dense, dry chaparral in interior foothills of District C... Center of abundance include w. Riverside Co. from the Jurupa Mtns. east to the vicinity of Sunnymead and Beaumont"; canescens is mentioned as breeding near Baldwin Lake (never been there but it looks akin to Garner Valley in flora). (Video the sound came from: https://youtu.be/UvtrEHGSh4g ; Lazuli Bunting in foreground)
Technical information
- Recorder
- iPhone 5S
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 301 KB