Sparrow ID

Asking for ideas on this bird I saw today at a local nature preserve.

My eBird Description:

"Grasshopper sparrow? Very dull-colored sparrow. In deciduous tree about 4 ft. above ground. Dark-ish crown- brown? Call was a few loud chatters. Gray-brown all over with pale streaks on side. Bill appeared heavy. No eyestripe, some dark auriculars."

@greglasley @psweet @john8 @joshuagsmith

Publicado el 05 de agosto de 2017 a las 12:18 AM por danomaha danomaha

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Sounds pretty interesting. I'm assuming you didn't get a photo. Also, location would be helpful.

Anotado por joshuagsmith hace casi 7 años

@joshuagsmith Aha! Sorry. No picture- but this was Eastern Nebraska- Chalco Hills NRD.

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

Can you describe the pitch and/or quality of the chatters you heard the bird produce?

Anotado por joshuagsmith hace casi 7 años

Not that high-pitched, but more like "Chek chek" . Not buzzing or crackling.

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

@joshuagsmith It also made a squeaky "cherr-up" as it flew away

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

Ok, that rules out Grasshopper. They have very high-pitched calls. Also, how heavy was the beak? Could this have been a female-plumaged grosbeak or bunting?

Anotado por joshuagsmith hace casi 7 años

No way for the former. The bunting is not possible because of the head pattern. It had significant dark on the auricular/cheek, mostly a dark head and grayish-beige lightly streaked front.

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

Ok, I agree that eliminates buntings and grosbeaks.

Anotado por joshuagsmith hace casi 7 años

What other possibilities @joshuagsmith ?

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

Only other bird I can think of with similar calls would be a Dickcissel... Perhaps a drab female or immature bird.

Anotado por joshuagsmith hace casi 7 años

Bill was pointier than that, and more richly colored than a female. Not as silvery. @joshuagsmith

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

@joshuagsmith I suspect this might be a Cassin's Sparrow... In Eastern Nebraska?

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

I highly doubt it's a Cassin's based upon range. Doesn't Nebraska get some Ammodramus species?

Anotado por joshuagsmith hace casi 7 años

Henslow's Might be a Possibility

Anotado por danomaha hace casi 7 años

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