Hi -
Ornithological Monograph 35 by John Aldrich, published about 1986, is the most
recent analysis I know of, of variation in Song Sparrows. It includes a lot of
tabular data on measurements etc. that might be very useful to anyone banding
them. I know Mike Patterson has spent a lot of time and energy identifying
subspecies of Sooty Fox Sparrows from his banding in Clatsop County snd others
(Klamath Bird observatory?) may have in-the-hand data on Song Sparrows that
could be looked at from the perspective of identifying strays, zones of
intergradation, etc.
Wayne.
On 12/7/2018 12:24:22 AM, Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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
[mailto: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 ;
[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
[mailto: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 ;
[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
--
__________________________
Hendrik G. Herlyn
Corvallis, OR
"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home."
-- Gary Snyder
