Fox Sparrow

Passerella iliaca

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 6.25 inches
* Conical bill with yellow lower mandible
* Very large sparrow
* Thick malar streak
* Heavy spotting below
* Extremely variable plumage across range
* Sexes similar

Eastern United States:

* Gray crown, nape and back
* Bright rusty rump and tail
* Rusty brown cheeks, malar streak, streaks on back, wings and spotting below

Western United States:

* Dark brown to gray upperparts
* Wings and tail sometimes same color as back, sometimes browner
* Bill size very large in one race
* Spotting underneath usually very dark

Similar species:

The Fox Sparrow is much larger than other sparrows and might at first be mistaken for a thrush but note the thick, conical bill.