ML646611431

Observation details

Frequently seen in this area along the highway. They seem to like the south-facing rocking hillsides with some brush and grass. Dominant trees are oaks. Slender brown long-tailed birds with streaking on throat, cinnamon lores, rufous undertail coverts. Lack of dark hood, rufous flanks, and white on tail eliminates Spotted Towhee. Lack of wingbars and golden crown eliminates Golden-crowned Sparrow, as well as the towhee's longer tail and more slender body. Canyon and Abert's Towhees do not occur in the Sierra Nevadas, and have different facial/breast markings.