Passerella iliaca
“Red” adult
The Fox Sparrow is a thickset sparrow whose breast markings usually consolidate to form a dark central patch. The plumage and bill size vary across its extensive breeding range, with four subspecies “groups” being recognized: “Red,” “Sooty,” “Slate-colored,” and “Thick-billed.” In any given region the sexes are similar, as are adults and juveniles. “Reds” have a gray and reddish back and wings, two faint wingbars, and a red and gray face pattern. The underparts are boldly streaked reddish brown. “Sooty” birds are similar but have darker, more uniformly sooty-brown upperparts and no wingbars. In “Slate-colored” birds, the back and hood are slate-gray. In “Thick-billed” birds, the bill is large and stout.
The Fox Sparrow is present across its breeding range mainly from May to August. “Red” birds are widespread across the Arctic; “Sooty” birds breed in the Pacific Northwest; “Slate-colored” birds are found in the Rocky Mountains; and “Thick-billed” birds breed in west coast mountains. Birds migrate south in fall, and the winter range extends from southern and western U.S.A. to Mexico.
“Sooty” adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 7 in (18 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Northern and montane low, scrubby woodland
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor and winter visitor, according to region
VOICE Song comprises various whistling phrases, such as twee-su-swee. Call is a sharp tchiup
