Sparrow ID

Asking for ideas on this bird I saw today at a local nature preserve.

My eBird Description:

"Grasshopper sparrow? Very dull-colored sparrow. In deciduous tree about 4 ft. above ground. Dark-ish crown- brown? Call was a few loud chatters. Gray-brown all over with pale streaks on side. Bill appeared heavy. No eyestripe, some dark auriculars."

@greglasley @psweet @john8 @joshuagsmith

Posted on 05 de agosto de 2017, 12:18 AM by danomaha danomaha

Comentários

Sounds pretty interesting. I'm assuming you didn't get a photo. Also, location would be helpful.

Publicado por joshuagsmith mais de 6 anos antes

@joshuagsmith Aha! Sorry. No picture- but this was Eastern Nebraska- Chalco Hills NRD.

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

Can you describe the pitch and/or quality of the chatters you heard the bird produce?

Publicado por joshuagsmith mais de 6 anos antes

Not that high-pitched, but more like "Chek chek" . Not buzzing or crackling.

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

@joshuagsmith It also made a squeaky "cherr-up" as it flew away

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

Ok, that rules out Grasshopper. They have very high-pitched calls. Also, how heavy was the beak? Could this have been a female-plumaged grosbeak or bunting?

Publicado por joshuagsmith mais de 6 anos antes

No way for the former. The bunting is not possible because of the head pattern. It had significant dark on the auricular/cheek, mostly a dark head and grayish-beige lightly streaked front.

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

Ok, I agree that eliminates buntings and grosbeaks.

Publicado por joshuagsmith mais de 6 anos antes

What other possibilities @joshuagsmith ?

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

Only other bird I can think of with similar calls would be a Dickcissel... Perhaps a drab female or immature bird.

Publicado por joshuagsmith mais de 6 anos antes

Bill was pointier than that, and more richly colored than a female. Not as silvery. @joshuagsmith

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

@joshuagsmith I suspect this might be a Cassin's Sparrow... In Eastern Nebraska?

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

I highly doubt it's a Cassin's based upon range. Doesn't Nebraska get some Ammodramus species?

Publicado por joshuagsmith mais de 6 anos antes

Henslow's Might be a Possibility

Publicado por danomaha mais de 6 anos antes

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