[EBB Sightings] Red Form Fox Sparrow subspecies discussion

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The following is a discussion regarding the Red form Fox Sparrow to be
seen in Richmond Meeker Creek Tidal Trial.

 

Rich,

Hang in there with the job!

Fox Sparrows are somewhat complicated. Rising has gone ahead and split 

them into four groups, but there are problems preventing the AOU from 

proceeding, according to Jon Dunn. Rising has 2-3 subspecies for Red 

Fox Sparrow: iliaca, the nominate for the eastern form; zaboria for the 

western form (breeds in AK); and he puts altivagans with this group, 

too (this is the problematic form). He comments that iliaca and zaboria 

cannot be separated in the field. So, I guess he would say that we 

don't know which ones, or if both, are seen in the Bay Area. I don't 

know if this has been, or even can be, determined by banding evidence, 

yet.

The other "species" are Sooty, Slate-colored, and Thick-billed. The 

problem with placing altivagans in Red or Slate-colored is such that it 

screws up a lot of reasoning about why the splits are being proposed 

where they are. So, as I understand it, nothing is being done until 

some evidence can be found that resolves the problems.

I've seen Red (assumed zaboria), Sooty and Slate-colored in three trips 

to AK. Their songs seem significantly different, too.

Sibley avoided using subspecies names because he felt that it opened 

too many cans of worms and he wanted to keep his guide accessible to 

beginning birders.


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following is a=20
discussion regarding the Red form Fox Sparrow to be seen in Richmond =
Meeker=20
Creek Tidal Trial.

Rising has=20
gone ahead and split 

problems=20
preventing the AOU from 

has 2-3=20
subspecies for Red 

eastern=20
form; zaboria for the 

altivagans=20
with this group, 

comments that=20
iliaca and zaboria 

guess he=20
would say that we 

seen in the=20
Bay Area. I don't 

determined by=20
banding evidence, 

Slate-colored, and=20
Thick-billed. The 


Slate-colored is such that it 

the splits are=20
being proposed 

nothing is=20
being done until 

the=20
problems.

and=20
Slate-colored in three trips 

different,=20
too.

because he felt=20
that it opened 

keep his=20
guide accessible to 

birders.


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