Sparrow ID
Asking for ideas on this bird I saw today at a local nature preserve.
My eBird Description:
"Grasshopper sparrow? Very dull-colored sparrow. In deciduous tree about 4 ft. above ground. Dark-ish crown- brown? Call was a few loud chatters. Gray-brown all over with pale streaks on side. Bill appeared heavy. No eyestripe, some dark auriculars."
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Sounds pretty interesting. I'm assuming you didn't get a photo. Also, location would be helpful.
@joshuagsmith Aha! Sorry. No picture- but this was Eastern Nebraska- Chalco Hills NRD.
Can you describe the pitch and/or quality of the chatters you heard the bird produce?
Not that high-pitched, but more like "Chek chek" . Not buzzing or crackling.
@joshuagsmith It also made a squeaky "cherr-up" as it flew away
Ok, that rules out Grasshopper. They have very high-pitched calls. Also, how heavy was the beak? Could this have been a female-plumaged grosbeak or bunting?
No way for the former. The bunting is not possible because of the head pattern. It had significant dark on the auricular/cheek, mostly a dark head and grayish-beige lightly streaked front.
Ok, I agree that eliminates buntings and grosbeaks.
What other possibilities @joshuagsmith ?
Only other bird I can think of with similar calls would be a Dickcissel... Perhaps a drab female or immature bird.
Bill was pointier than that, and more richly colored than a female. Not as silvery. @joshuagsmith
@joshuagsmith I suspect this might be a Cassin's Sparrow... In Eastern Nebraska?
I highly doubt it's a Cassin's based upon range. Doesn't Nebraska get some Ammodramus species?
Henslow's Might be a Possibility
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