Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum ), Cook's Lake, Pinal County

This Grasshopper Sparrow was was discovered on an AZFO mini-expedition led by Troy Corman to Cook's Lake along the San Pedro River south of Dudleyville on 25 October 2009. This area is private property and not open to the public. It was photographed by Andrew Core and Doug Jenness at the same time.

Although the subspecies A. s. ammolegus is a common breeding resident in the grasslands of the most southeastern part of the state, the more northern subspecies A. s. perpallidus, which this bird most likely is, is normally an inconspicuous sparse migrant through the state.  In the AZNM listserv's archive, there appear to be only two other reports for Pinal Co. since 1995--one on the Dudleyville CBC 5 Jan 2002 and one in the Santa Cruz Flats area 28 Nov 2006.

Scaly back and short, spiked tail mark this as an Ammodramus sparrow. The complete white eye ring, lack of a dark lateral throat stripe, white median crown stripe and rufous spots on the back are good marks here for Grasshopper Sparrow.  This bird has more blurry streaking than usual, probably indicating it is a first year bird. 

25 October 2009, photo by Andrew Core

25 October 2009, photo by Doug Jenness

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