Cassin's sparrow
Aimophila cassinii
Identification Tips:
- Large, gray, conical bill
- Brown crown
- Grayish face, lores and supercilium
- Brown streak extends behind eye
- Gray back and wings with brown streaks
- Underparts pale, darkest on breast
- Faint dark streaks on flanks
- Long, brown tail with paler. barred central tail feathers and a pale
outer border
- Sexes similar
- Juvenile (Spring and Summer) buffier, streaked on breast
Similar species:
The Botteri's Sparrow is very similar to the Cassin's Sparrow and is best
identified by its different song. It has a somewhat larger bill and flatter
head than the Cassin's. Cassin's has paler central tail feathers with dark
barring, pale outer border to the tail, and faint dark streaks on the flanks.
Bachman's Sparrow similar but has different range, song and favors more
wooded habitats.