** Reply to note from Ed Swan/Linda Barnes


> On one of the recent CBCs, I was looking at the Fox Sparrows with regard
> to the various sub-species. I was also wondering if the proposed splits
> have been made by the AOU.
>
> The birds I saw were most like the drawings of the Slate-colored Fox
> Sparrow drawing 40a and somehat like drawing 39c of the Sooty Fox
> Sparrow in the Sparrows of United States and Canada. That book shows
> just the Sooty Fox Sparrow and Red Fox Sparrow as being in western
> Washington in the winter.
>
> I saw very dark Sooty Fox Sparrow in the Queen Charlotte Islands this
> fall and the local birds I've seen definitely look more like the
> Slate-colored Fox Sparrow.
>
> Does anyone have any comments on what the species/sub species of Fox
> Sparrows is in Washington?

Late getting to this one, Ed and Linda. There are rumors that the "Foxy" will
be split into three species (each with numerous identifiable forms) which are
separated easily by basic color: the "Red" species (eastern N. America);
the "Gray" species (interior of w. N. America); and the "Sooty" species
(coastal zone of w. N. America).

_Passerella iliaca fuliginosus_ is the breeding subspecies of the Queen Charlotte
Islands but likely some of the Alaskan forms also winter there. Not sure which
one(s) occur in Washington. In winter, you are quite likely to see various
Sooty and Gray forms. This is a very plastic "species" with many forms.
And also happens to be one of my favorite birds - a big beautiful sparrow with
a much underesteemed song.

- Jack





Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca