Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii ), Liberty, Maricopa County

This Sprague's Pipit was found and photographed by Caleb Strand on 31 October 2015

One of 4 present. Rare migrant and winter visitor to Maricopa County with few recent records (though perhaps overlooked). Declining everywhere and is now a Candidate Species under the Endangered Species Act. Candidate Species are those species that qualify for Endangered Species protection but for which the FWS has not had time or funding to prepare formal documentation.

Pale legs, streaked back, blank and "wide eyed" facial expression with buffy auriculars separate this species from the common American Pipit.

31 October 2015, photo by Caleb Strand

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