Red Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca zaboria), Peppersauce Canyon, Pinal County

This Red Fox Sparrow was discovered and photographed by Matthew Brooks on 13 February 2012.

Rare winter visitor, with more than the usual number of reports this winter.  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.

Red auriculars, chestnut crown, and red breast streaks, amd more yellowish bill distinguish Red Fox Sparrow from other subspecies.

13 February 2012, photo by Matthew Brooks

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