intergrade Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), San Pedro House, Cochise Co, Mohave County

This likely intergrade Fox Sparrow was discovered by Gary Martindale (in eBird) on 28 Dec 2012 and first reported as an intergrade by Steve Mlodinow on 11 February 2013 and then photographed by Tony Battiste on 13 February 2013.

This bird shows some clear characters for the "Red" group of Fox Sparrow subspecies.  It has a red crown, reddish streaks on the back and breast, wing bars and red auriculars.  However, the pattern of the head and back is darker and more subdued than in typical Red Fox Sparrows and the breast streaking is heavier and more coalesced. It is therefore possibily from one of the intergrade populations between Sooty or Slate-colored Fox Sparrow.  The denser breast streaking argues perhaps for Sooty as the other parent.  However, some pure populations of Sooty and Slate-colored are difficult to distinguish as are some pure populations of Slate-colored and Red.  Therefore, this bird is probably just left as an intergrade and used as a reminder for why these are still considered subspecies!

An excellent reference on how subtle differences can be among the many subspecies of Fox Sparrows is here. 

13 February 2013, photo by tony battiste

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