Clay-colored Sparrow x Brewer's Sparrow

Apparent Clay-colored Sparrow x Brewer's Sparrow hybrid, Kinney SWA, Lincoln County (Colorado, USA), 4th May 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 2247)

Steve describes how he concluded that 'hybrid' seems the best solution for this intriguing bird:

"The gray underparts, gray face, dull supercilium and eyering, and nape streaking all favor Brewer's Sparrow.  The bill size, white throat, strong malar and moustachial, and bit of buff on flanks fits Clay-colored Sparrow.  This combiantion doesn't fit with Timberline Brewer's Sparrow, which is somewhat intermediate between typical Brewer's and Clay-colored Sparrow, leaving Clay-colored Sparrow x Brewer's Sparrow as the best solution."

Apparent Clay-colored Sparrow x Brewer's Sparrow hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 2247), Kinney SWA, Lincoln County (Colorado, USA), 4th May 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2244-2246)

Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida
Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri
Timberline Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri taverneri