Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

SONG SPARROW.

581. Melospiza melodia. 6¼ inches.

A bird of song, as the name indicates, and their song can be heard in every state of the Union and in Canada. This is the most subdivided of any of the bird family; more than twenty sub-species are listed, all having about the same song and general appearance. In some localities they will be a darker brown, and in the light desert sands they are very light in color. It is almost impossible to distinguish one from another even when in the hand. Their eggs also have the same variation, and cannot be positively identified one from another. They all build either in low bushes or upon the ground. Usually four eggs, greenish white, blotched and spotted with all shades and patterns of brown (.80 × .60).

HEERMANN SONG SPARROW.

581c. Melospiza m. heermanni. 6¼ inches.

Found in the central valleys of California, casually to Nevada.

RUSTY SONG SPARROW.

581e. Melospiza m. morphna. 6¼ inches.

In the Pacific Coast belt from Alaska to southern California.