Species of Interest-Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

The range of the Clay-colored Sparrow is somewhat restricted, which places this species on the wish list of many visiting birders. It can be common to abundant here, typically nesting in grassy areas where there are shrubs.

Although Clay-coloreds do not nest in the urban environment, at least not in any number, they do appear at backyard feeders during migration.

The easiest place to find them during the nesting season is perhaps Turtle River State Park where they are common in the grassy and brushy areas of the park. Simply listen for the buzzy (bzzz bzzz bzzz) song that sounds a bit like a Bronx cheer.

Clay-coloreds have a striking multi-striped face pattern, and a clear off-white breast. A much more descriptive name would be "gray-collared sparrow". Young of the year have finely streaked breasts and can be difficult to distinguish from juvenal Chipping Sparrows.

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