ML40058051

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Was very surprised to find this bird here. After I initially reported it, Kristen Eisenman reported previously seeing two at the same location, but she was not certain of the ID. She also didn't say when she saw them. Seems like there is a chance one or both may stick around though. My photos were overexposed and I think the contrast is dialed up a little high in these images, but I'm pretty sure this is a sagebrush sparrow rather than a Bell's. The only thing that bothers me about the identification is the lack of white in the tail, but the photos are detailed enough to show that the tail is quite worn and I would expect the white edges to the outer tail feathers to be the first part to wear away. The back is pretty streaky, the contrast with the head and back is not dramatic, the lateral throat stripe is relatively thin and medium gray rather than thick and blackish, and the white loral spot is attenuated and not confined to a small, distinct oval. Pretty sure Sagebrush would be the more expected species too.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS REBEL T1i

ISO

400

Focal length

250 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

567 pixels x 944 pixels

Original file size

411.25 KB