ML574284331

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

One of at least two, and possibly three, continuing Grasshopper Sparrows photographed by Curtis A. Marantz on 11 May 2023 in fields east of Prado Regional Park, Chino, San Bernardino County, California. The first report of this species from this site was on 13 April 2023 by Johnny Bovee.

Observation details

After hearing the distinctive, "chip, tzzzzzzz" songs, I managed tobtrack down the singing bird, which moved about a medium-sized territory, often perching jn the open atop various shrubs, but never permitting an overly close approach. In addition to singing, this bird also gave a sharp, "tsick" call, and I was able to track down a second bird that gave this same call. Although I never saw either bird carrying nest material or food, the calls given by these birds suggested breeding activity, and I once flushed one of these birds almost under-foot, suggesting that it may have come off a nest. I may have heard a second bird singing at a distance, but could not be certain. Given that I concentrated on getting photos, and that I did not have a scope to study birds that were seen at moderate distance, my views were sufficient to note the overall patterns, but not the finer details of structure or plumage. From what I saw both birds appeared similar. These were conspicuously small sparrows with relatively large bills and heads, weakly sloping foreheads abd gently rounded crowns stocky necks, and short, somewhat spikey tails that were no longer than the body without the head and neck, but I cannot recall noting the wing structure. These birds were a warm, medium-brown overall, with the upperparts darker, more reddish, and having a complex pattern. The crown was dark brown with a pale median-stripe and demarcated by a buffy supercilium. I further noted some suggestion of a darker postocular-stripe that contrasted with a generally light brown face, and also that the underparts were a light, buffy-brown throughout, and lacking obvious markings. I did not study carefully the pattern on the upperparts, but I thought it combined more reddish and buff markIngs jn what appeared to be a complex pattern that was difficult to discern from a distance. The wings and tail were dark brown, but again, I failed to note the pattern. The bill was pale, the eyes were dark, and the legs and feet were pinkish-flesh in color.

Technical information

Model

ILCE-7RM5

Lens

FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

ISO

320

Focal length

600 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/2500 sec

Dimensions

2300 pixels x 1390 pixels

Original file size

4.5 MB