Learn 100 Common Valley Birds Blog Post Species #75/100
Few things on earth fill us with as much delight as birds, and knowing them by name only adds to our pleasure. In California’s Central Valley, with only a little bit of effort, anyone can learn 100 local bird species. Especially since on a daily basis Valley Residents come in contact with at least a dozen species that most recognize, but may not know the name of. The intent of this blog is for followers to learn about and be able to identify 100 common valley birds.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Fox Sparrow – Passerella iliaca
Name Roots: (L. passer, “sparrow”; -ella, “little” – iliacus, “of the flanks”)
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Fox Sparrow is a bulky bird, with strong, conical bill with yellow lower mandible, heavily streaked underparts, and no white in slightly notched tail.
AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL FACT
The Fox Sparrow comes in four varieties: red, sooty, thick-billed and slate-colored. The “Red” form is more Eastern in nature and very rarely encountered in the Central Valley. The “Thick-billed” form is more often found in the Sierra Nevada above 4,000′ elevation. The “Slate-colored” is uncommon in the valley while the “Sooty” form is the most common.
DISTRIBUTION STATUS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
The Fox Sparrow is a Fairly Common Winter Visitor in California’s Central Valley and can be found in habitats with dense shrubs.
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