Adults
Juvenile
Description
Size: 6”
Plumage/Description: Male and female plumage similar. Heavily streaked back, plain, solid gray breast and belly with no streaking. Facial and head pattern includes rufous stripes on the crown of the head, a rufous stripe through the eye, and a white malar stripe outlined with a black lateral throat stripe.
Habitat: Oak/Chaparral, Pinyon/Juniper, Residential
Time of year: Year-round
Relative Abundance: Fairly common
Behavior: While listed as being found in oak/chaparral and pinyon/juniper habitats more specifically this species prefers rocky habitats and areas with granite boulders within oak/chaparral and pinyon/juniper habitats. A ground-dwelling, ground gleaner—perhaps more abundant than observed. In winter will frequent seed feeders in residential areas that have the rocky habitat it prefers
Diet: Seeds, Insects
Similar species: Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow, other sparrow species and Canyon Towhee
Best Sites: White-dot trails in the dells, off of Granite Dells Road, and in the area north of Willow Lake in the dells. Also along Lynx Creek, just below the Lynx Lake dam where it is rocky, particular on south facing slopes.
