IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida
HOW MANY: 2 adults and at least 2 chicks

REPORTER: Terry Gray 890 Stefany Ln Moscow ID 83843-9635 208.882.1585
REPORTER EMAIL: clgtlg@moscow.com
OTHER OBSERVERS: Charles Swift and myself at different dates.

DATE REPORT PREPARED: July 13, 2009                     DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: July 6, 2009

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: West side of Paradise Ridge on the property of Kas Dumroese family. A few miles south of Moscow, Idaho.

HABITAT: Palouse Prairie.
CONDITIONS: Observed the birds for a couple hours. Weather was clear and breezy. Temperatures in the low to mid 60's F. Had the chicks nearly land on me and the adults approximately 20 feet. Used binocs, a 30x digital camera.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, later the same day
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America.

DESCRIPTION: Spizella pallida. The adults I observed had very distinct yellowish bill and a somewhat dark mustache, very light belly with a slight buffy look to the flanks and breast. Birds also had a very evident gray nape. Also observed a white eyebrow and dark crown-stripes. The chicks looked similar with light striping on the breast.

BEHAVIOR: The adults were singing there raspy buzzes as they tried to get the chicks together. There were also Brewer's Sparrows there as well with young and they appeared to be feeding in the same area and did not appear to be bothered by the other birds in the area. Lazili Buntings were also gathering food for young int he same location.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? I have been watching and photographing this species at this location since the summer of 2005. The CCSP stands out from the Brewer's in the bright yellow/orange bill, brighter lighter breast and obvious clean gray nape where the Brewer's has a streaked nape.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Color of the bill and other points made above as well as song as both the Brewer's and CCSP's were both singing.
EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): Been watching adult CCSP's at this location every summer since July 2005.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Been an active birder for the past 10 years and feel confident that I am an excellent birder for the local birds in northern Idaho.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photo