ML236463911

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

An unusual Song Sparrow, conspicuous in its rustiness and dissimilarity to the locals that are year-round residents (my first distant impression was a colorful Fox Sparrow). Seen at ~11 am, so alpenglow lighting not a factor. Choice of montana/merrilli based on Birds of North America, Peterson sparrows guide (Wright), IGNAB (Pyle), Sibley, National Geographic guide (Dunn & Alderfer), Macauley Library and this site: http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/MTYbirdsSOSP2.html . Other options seems to be an Eastern ssp. melodia / atlantica (paler fallax ssp. discounted due to the dark contrast in the plumage and back apparently lacking light gray, and presumably they are less migratory). Thoughts are welcome. [Date would seem to be unusual for any choice mentioned...] [Regarding heemanni group option, looked unlike majority of birds listed as such on Macauley Library and didn't really fit any of the descriptions in the sources listed above, though I guess theoretically they can look a similar color depending on the lighting, and can lack a lot of streaking on the chest?] Examples of eBird-accepted records of montana/merrilli in California: https://ebird.org/checklist/S49897813 https://ebird.org/checklist/S25408476 And melodia / atlantica out west: https://ebird.org/checklist/S26805295 https://ebird.org/checklist/S51657578 https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S53360189 Interestingly, this individual was also seen where the majority of unusual sightings are spotted at this location (the first few sprinklers / dense wet habitat near the entrance). It was heard communicating with an unseen individual, both making insect-like calls, then switched to its finch-like call.

Technical information

Model

DSC-HX400V

ISO

160

Focal length

215 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

700 pixels x 569 pixels

Original file size

313.78 KB