Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Chipping Sparrow

Reporter: Cliff Weisse, 4125 Beaver Springs Rd., Island Park, ID 83429, 208-558-7789, cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

Other Observers: None

Date of Observation: 13 February 2009

Date Report Prepared: 16 February 2009

Locality of Observation: Jack’s Creek WMA near Bruneau, Owyhee County. Specifically neat the end of the road in a field with weeds and sunflowers near one of the last remaining stands of Russian Olive.

Habitat: Weedy field with grassy patches.

Conditions: Windy and cold with sunshine. The location where this bird was observed was somewhat sheltered from the heavy wind. Bird was observed foraging on the ground at close range for approximately three minutes. Distance about 10 yards with sun behind observer. Binoculars used are Nikon 10 x 42 Premier LX.

Did you take notes… Yes, on 2/15 after arriving home

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?

Yes, Sibley Guide to Bird of North America about five minutes after sighting.

Description: Sparrow with small bill and rounded head, similar to American Tree Sparrows it was associating with. Overall appeared darker backed than American Tree Sparrow and lacking white tips on scaps and paler/colder below. Underparts gray with brownish wash on flanks. Breast gray without dusky spot on center of breast. Two whitish wing bars easily seen. Bill about the same size and shape as American Tree Sparrow in direct comparison. Bill was pink with dusky wash on culmen that faded to pink on sides of bill. Throat whitish with indistinct, but easy to see, lateral throat stripe. Auriculars plain brownish gray, obviously more brown than American Tree Sparrows present, and lacking darker brown border. Nape unstreaked gray. Lores and postocular stripe blackish forming obvious eye line. No eye ring was seen. Cap reddish brown and obviously darker than American Tree Sparrow. Supercilium grayish.

Behavior: Foraging on the ground in a group of 3 or 4 American Tree Sparrows. The bird was foraging in a grassy area and flew into heavier weeds several times as if spooked, then returned to the ground to forage. No interactions with other birds was observed but this bird was clearly associating with the American Tree Sparrows.

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? When I first saw the bird it landed on the ground and was obviously darker and colder than the American Tree Sparrows I was watching. I noticed the lateral throat stripe and lack of rufous on head but the bird flew into heavy weeds. I waited and it returned to the ground in front of me and I immediately noticed the brown face color, then the blackish eye line and realized this was a Chipping Sparrow. I remained motionless and had several more good looks to confirm the field marks I’d seen and further study the bird.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they?

Other Spizella sparrows and possibly juvenile White-crowned Sparrows could be mistaken for Chipping Sparrow.

-American Tree Sparrow has rufous crown and eye line, distinct white eye ring, white markings on upperparts, yellow and blackish bill, and dusky spot on center of breast.

-Brewer’s has paler brown and buff striped crown, streaked nape, complete eye ring, pale lores, and indistinct wing bars rather than the whitish wing bars this bird had

-Clay-colored Sparrow has warmer buffier wash on underparts, pale lores, more distinct lateral throat stripe, and more contrast in face pattern with dark brown border on auriculars.

-Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow, which I think is the species most often mistaken for Chipping Sparrow during the winter season here, has rufous postocular line, rufous cap, pale lores, and yellow or bright orange bill.

Experience with this species: I see numerous Chipping Sparrows every year in Idaho. In late summer large flocks are present and I’ve spent a lot of time picking through them trying to identify vagrants. I’m very familiar with the species.

General experience birding: 16 years

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? No