LeConte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) 13 October 2017, Blufftop Coastal Park, Half Moon Bay, SM County, CA
Photos © 2017 Joseph Morlan
LeConte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii)

LeConte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii)


First San Mateo County record. Found this morning by Al Jaramillo.

After a long wait Adam Dudley spotted it as it sat briefly on top of a Coyote Bush and I was able to get a few mediocre photos. The bird was backlit but it seemed to be a rather pale example with little color on the underparts which were streaked only on the sides and flanks. The distinctive head pattern showed a strong orange supercilium and malar contrasting with blue-gray ear coverts. A black post-ocular line expanded behind the eye, but did not wrap around around the ear coverts. Lores and eyering were pale gray. The crown was pale orange set off with dark lateral crown stripes. The nape was gray with purple-brown streaks. The back was brown with heavy white streaking. The tail was strongly notched and the individual feathers sharply pointed. Bill, legs and feet were bright pink. Adam Dudley's photos are here.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
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