Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Tempe Town Lake, Maricopa County

This Grasshopper Sparrow was discovered and photographed by Tyler Loomis on 25 January 2009 at the upstream end of Tempe Town Lake from the overlook behind the Tempe Marketplace Shopping Center. 

Casual in Maricopa County with about 12 records total.

Scaly back and short, spiked tail mark this as an Ammodramus sparrow. Grasshopper is the only member of this genus that has an unstreaked breast and pale median crown stripe. Beware escaped female plumaged Orange Bishops which have been seen and formerly bred in marshy areas around Phoenix and that strongly resemble Grasshopper Sparrows.

25 January 2009, photo by Tyler Loomis