Red Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca zaboria), Bridle Creek, Bagdad, Yavapai County

This Red Fox Sparrow was discoveredd and photographed by Zach Smith on 21 October 2013

Rare winter visitor, perhaps increasing.  The Slate-colored Fox Sparrow is the expected form in Arizona. The other three forms (Red, Sooty and Thick-billed) have all occurred in Arizona, but the Red Fox Sparrow is the most frequent of these. "Red" Fox Sparrow (iliaca group) is itself split into two subspecies. The western P. i. zaboria is the subspecies known to occur in Arizona but it is not separable in the field from the other subspecies of Red Fox Sparrow, P. i. iliaca.

Red auriculars, chestnut crown, and red breast streaks, amd more yellowish bill distinguish Red Fox Sparrow from other subspecies.

21 October 2013, photo by Zach Smith

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