Hi Jamie and all,
Rising (Sparrows of the US and Canada) illustrates a number of subspecies
and describes others in the text. It's the best overview I know of
available in a book, but there are quite a few gaps in the illustrations.
Another good listing of subspecies (with range and a short description) can
be found in Sparrows and Buntings by Byers, Curson and Olsson, but they
only illustrate a few subspecies, and I don't think the illustrations are
all that good.
Might be a worthy project (OB article?) for someone to compile an overview
of Song Sparrow subspecies in Oregon (with good photos). Any takers?
Happy sparrow watching! :)
Hendrik
On Thu, Dec 6, 2018 at 6:14 PM Jamie Simmons <sapsuckers@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Russ and Obol,
Once again I stuck my neck out on OBOL, was wrong, but also learned from
it.
Russ nicely pointed out (privately) that the bird I photographed (in
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S23672350) is of the expected
subspecies, merrilli/montana, for that area (Malheur).
Obviously I lack(ed) knowledge of Oregon Song Sparrow subspecies!
In comparing Sheila's bird to mine, the differences seem subtle except for
the relative boldness of the red streaking on the breast of my bird.
Which leads me to: What are good resources for learning the expected and
not so expected Oregon subspecies by field marks?
Sibley seems lacking.
The sparrow book by Jim Rising, et al (which I don't have at my
fingertips)?
Macaulay library (eBird) can be inaccurate with mis-identifications and
can have a relative lack of birds identified to the subspecies level.
Suggestions?
Jamie Simmons
Corvallis
On Tue, Dec 4, 2018 at 12:01 PM Russ Namitz <namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Although ID is still being researched, I validated the following report
so that the public could view these photos.
"Rare" SONG SPARROW
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50356216
Earlier I talked about subspecies and subspecific groups in eBird while
using SONG SPARROW as an example. As a quick aside, I don't think it
matters too much if one uses the general name like SONG SPARROW or the
subspecies/subspecific group that is known to breed in a particular area
(e.g. SONG SPARROW (heermanni Group) for Brookings, OR). It really does't
make the "data" stronger by stating the known breeding subspecies group.
The trouble and where it DOES matter is where the zone of overlap happens
and observers start *assuming* subspecies/subspecific group. Somewhere
along the southcentral Oregon coast, the SONG SPARROW (rufina Group) and
the SONG SPARROW (heermanni Group) overlap. I suspect that it happens in
Coos County, but it may be further north or possibly even south. I honestly
have not researched enough and it is out of my area of expertise at the
moment.
But that brings me to the eBird link above. I think that this SONG
SPARROW belongs to the Central/Eastern US subspecific group of SONG SPARROW
(melodia/atlantica)....and that perhaps it is the first photo documented
record for Oregon. However, it was brought to my attention that Jim
Hardman & Phil Redlinger photographed a very similar individual on Nov 30th
while searching for the Lane County Harris's Sparrow (OBOL message on
11/30/2018).
Anyway, kind of my whole point is that I am very guilty of just passing
over Song Sparrows and that, from now on, I will be taking a closer look,
especially in winter and look for the variety that might be out there.
Cheers,
Russ Namitz
Coos/Curry/Grant/Harney eBird Reviewer
