[Jeanvg]

I would appreciate some help differentiating these two sparrows I hope to encounter in SW AZ next April. The references I have available are somewhat contradictory in describing the field marks - so would song be the better option? Thanks for any suggestions.

[birdergirl]

Rufous-crowned Sparrows have 1 whisker mark off the base of the bill, no wingbars, a much bolder eye-ring and the bill is black.

Rufous-winged Sparrows have 2 whiskers, wingbars, a thin eye-ring and pink bill.

Have fun in Arizona!

Cheers,
Mel

[Jeanvg]

Mel Thanks for the help - now all I have to do is find a Rufous-winged Sp. Jean

[stevej]

Ebird is an indispensable (in this day and age) reference for finding your target species. With some careful searching on the database, you can pretty much increase your chances of sighting your target to 100%, unless of course the bird is extremely rare or a vagrant.

[birdergirl]

Mel Thanks for the help - now all I have to do is find a Rufous-winged Sp. Jean

Good luck Jean if you want you can send me a private message and I can share with you where I saw these two species in September of this year.

Have a great trip! Will be nice to be in AZ when Vancouver is so cold!

Cheers,
Mel