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Posted by Frank I. on 15:24:25 05/22/05
Unidentified Sparrow observed feeding in grass on Duck Key:
White Median Crown Stripe
Black Lateral Crown Stripes
Buff colored Superciliums
Black Eye Lines
Black Eyes
Short Thick Gray Beak
Buff colored Nape, Jugulum, and Auricular Regions
Wings and Back where a mix of Black and White Streaks but predominantly darker colored
Breast Buff colored with no streaking
Belly appeared White-ish
Some light Black streaking on the Flanks
Ventral area appeared White-ish
Tail Short and Dark
Feet appeared Reddish
Using my National Geographic Guide the most likely bird appears to be the Grasshopper Sparrow, but some key differences exist between those depictions of it. Most notably, the Nape of the bird had no streaking and simply had a buff coloration. Also, besides the obvious Crown Stripes and Eye Lines the face in general was a simple buff color. The undersides of the bird appeared very plain as well, and the back had more white in it.
If it was a Grasshopper Sparrow (there were two actually) and not something else, then what subspecies was it? The Keys are apparently way out of the range of the Floridanus so I suppose it would be the eastern Pratensis?
Any help would be very greatly appreciated for this confusing bird. Thanks.
Frank I.
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