American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea), Sunsites, Cochise County

This American Tree Sparrow was found and photographed by Laurin Richey on 17 November 2014

Casual in northern Arizona, with only five accepted records (including one from west-central Arizona) and three published pre-Arizona Bird Committee records. If accepted by the ABC, this would be the first record from Cochise County or anywhere in southeastern Arizona.

The combination of rufous crown and eye-stripe, dark spot on breast and bicolored bill make American Tree Sparrow quite distinctive. Although recent research suggests this species should be moved from the genus Spizella, it is structurally like a Spizella sparrow, with relatively small bill and long tail.

17 November 2014, photo by Laurin Richey

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