Desert Specialty! Rufous-winged Sparrow

[c.j.]

CJ's Desert Dwellers: Rufous-winged Sparrow - Aimophila carpalis
Family:Emberizidae



Length: 140-150 cm (5.75-6 in)
Wingspan: 187 cm (7.5 in)
Weight: 15 gm (.53 oz)

An uncommon bird to the United States. It's range is limited to a small area of southern Arizona.

Identification marks include pale rufous crown stripes and clear grayish breast. Rufous on lesser coverts (wing feathers, often hidden) is evident in this photo. The dark lateral throat stripe is a bit indistinct in this photo, but when the neck isn't ruffled, it is quite defined. Similar to a Chipping Sparrow, but stockier with shorter bill.



Voice: Variable song pattern with sweet clear notes. Their call is a simple 'chip', but is quite distinctive from the other sparrows.

Source:
Sibley's
Audubon
Peterson's

Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi
Lens:Canon Lens EF 300 mm 1:4 L IS and Canon Extender EF 1.4ex II
Filter: Hoya 77mm HMC UV[O]
Exposure: f/16, 1/100 seconds
Photo date: 2007-01-29
handheld
cropped

[paulnj]

not only is this a nice image, but a GREAT find too!

[payn817]

Another wonderful bird image. Thanks for sharing this as well as the exif.