Red Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca zaboria), Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Pinal County

This Red Fox Sparrow was discovered by Jim Kopitzke on 8 January 2012 and was photographed by Brendon Grice on 14 January 2012

The Slate-colored Fox Sparrow is the expected form in Arizona. The other three forms (Red, Sooty and Thick-billed) have all occurred in Arizona, but the Red Fox Sparrow is the most frequent of these.  "Red" Fox Sparrow (iliaca group) is itself split into two subspecies. The western P. i. zaboria is the subspecies known to occur in Arizona but it is not separable in the field from the other subspecies of Red Fox Sparrow, P. i. iliaca.

Rufous crown and auriculars separate the "Red" from other forms of Fox Sparrow. The overall bright reddish and bold breast streaking and spotting and the bright yellowish bill are also indicators.

14 January 2012, photo by Brendon Grice

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