Clay-colored sparrow Spizella pallida

Identification Tips:

• Pale, conical bill with dark tip
• Brown crown with dark streaks and pale central stripe
• White supercilium
• Brown cheeks bordered by black
• Pale malar streak with dark whisker
• Gray hindneck
• Pale underparts
• Tan back with dark streaks
• Brown wings with wing bars
• Brown rump
• Slim, forked tail
• Sexes similar
• Immature plumage (Fall) similar to adult but has buffy breast, malar streak and supercilium
• Juvenile plumage (Summer) similar to immature but duller with streaked underparts

Similar species:

In Spring and Summer, Clay-colored Sparrows are similar to Brewer's Sparrows but have a white central crown stripe, dark borders to the cheeks, distinct supercilium, gray hindneck and a dark whisker. Field Sparrow has a pink bill, rusty crown and a white eye ring. In Fall and Winter, Chipping Sparrows are quite similar to Clay-colored Sparrows. Often, they retain some rust in the crown and can be identified by that field mark. Clay-colored Sparrows have pale lores, brown rumps, more distinct whisker and a buffier breast.