[cobirds] Sparrow ID Help please (CCSP vs BRSP): Consensus is Brewer's

Hi folks,

Thank you to those who responded to my questions. The consensus is that these birds are Brewer's Sparrows, however there were also suggestions that they may show some evidence of hybridization with the Timberline subspecies of BRSP or Clay-colored Sparrow.

By the way, if you're interested in close views of migrating sparrows, the Boulder Community Gardens in north-central Boulder is a great place to bird. Throughout September and October, most mornings or evenings will produce several sparrow species -- some days better than others.  My best September day produced 9 sparrow species.  The average during September is 4 or 5. In total, I've logged 20 species of sparrows across all months since 1996. Late afternoons are super for photography, with the horizontal sunlight and plenty of small fence lines for the birds to perch.

Cheers,

Richard Trinkner

Boulder

On Monday, September 12, 2022 at 1:53:48 PM UTC-6 richardi...@gmail.com wrote:

Hi folks,

It's September in the Boulder Community Gardens, which means it's time for me to be confused by Spizella sparrows, especially immature birds or ones not in bright alternate plumage.

In the attached photos:

Is the bird in the bush (two photos) a Clay-colored Sparrow? (Large gray nape, strong white eye ring, beige wash to sides of chest, but - alas - not a strong facial pattern).

Is the bird on the hair clip (!?!) a Brewer's Sparrow?  (Less gray on nape, white eye ring, beige and gray on chest, not a strong facial pattern).

Or, am I wrong on both of these?  (Cue Christian N waiting in the wings: "These are both Chipping Sparrows.")

Thanks,

Richard Trinkner