Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida), San Pedro River Inn, Pima County.

Clay-colored Sparrow is a rare transient and wintering species in Arizona, usually appearing with flocks of other Spizella sparrows. It can be a challenge to separate Clay-colored from Brewer's and immature Chipping sparrows. In some years they are more common but there have been relatively few reported this fall. This individual was photographed at the San Pedro River Inn in Hereford, AZ on 11/18/06 by Oliver Niehuis.

11 November 2006 photo by Oliver Niehuis