On a recent trip to Yuba Pass and the Sierra Valley we viewed a number of breeding bird species, including this cooperative Vesper Sparrow, Pooecete gramineus. We don't see the Vesper Sparrow on the coast here, so it's always fun to spot them in the sagebrush habitats of the eastern Sierra, at locations such as Mono Lake and Sierra Valley (north of Truckee). The Vesper is reputed to be a fine vocalist, and perhaps easier to spot in May when it sings from low brush in sagebrush or grassy habitats. Right now it spends more time on the ground foraging for seeds and a few insects, but it does like to have a look around from a wire perch.
Taxonomy-
Order - Passeriformes - Perching birds, 5,000+ species, i.e, more than 50% of all bird species).
Family - Emberizidae - New World Sparrows. 55 species in the ABA area, including many that do not have "sparrow" in their name, such as the Seedeater (1), Grassquits (2), Towhees (6), Juncos (2), and Buntings (8). Words like "sparrow" and "bunting" are really just descriptive, so you'll find sparrows and buntings in other (unrelated) families.
Genus - Pooecetes - A monotypic genus, i.e., only one species. The closest relative among the New World Sparrows may be the Lark Sparrow (BNA). May rarely hybridize with the Field Sparrow (BNA).
Species - Pooecetes gramineus - Vesper Sparrow. There are 3-4 subspecies, depending on which authority you consult. This is probably the "Great Basin Vesper Sparrow", P. g. confinis, of the eastern Sierra. Further west the "Oregon Vesper Sparrow", P. g. affinis may be found. Learned this in a GREAT new book, Birds of the Sierra Nevada, by Edward C. Beedy and Edward R. Pandolfino, with gorgeous illustrations of every species by Marin's very own Keith Hansen. This book is an absolute "must have" for the California birder.
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