Red Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca zaboria), Tanque Verde Wash, Pima County

This Red Fox Sparrow was photographed by Paul Suchanek on 29 November 2014

Rare late season migrant and winter visitor. 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 (iliaca group) is the most frequent of these.

Rufous crown streaks and auriculars on an otherwise gray head separate the "Red" from other forms of Fox Sparrow. The overall bold bright rusty breast streaking & spotting (inverted 'V's ) and the bright yellowish bill are also indicators of this subspecies group of Fox Sparrow.

29 November 2014, photo by Paul Suchanek

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