Sage Sparrows in Borrego Springs

It has been several years since the Sage Sparrow was split into the Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemiseospiza nevadensis) and the Bell's Sparrow (Artemiseospiza belli). Yet experts still do not agree on how to tell apart the canescens race of Bell's Sparrow from the nominate Sagebrush Sparrow in the field where they winter together in southern California.

I detect differences in back streaking, darkness of the gray head, and width and blackness of the malar streak, as well as habitat preferences. Nevertheless, these differences could be due to sex, age, feather wear, or normal variation.

These birds I found in the saltbush and sand dunes in Borrego Springs. The streaked back, pale gray head, weak malar, all indicate to me that these are Sagebrush Sparrows. But they are not accepted as such in eBird. So, into the Sagebrush/Bell's "Sage" Sparrow bucket they go. Perhaps someday the identification criteria will be more exactly known. Until then, I'll keep on taking photos.

Sage Sparrow. Borrego Springs, California. February 18, 2019.

An early blooming Sand Verbena. Borrego Springs, California. February 18, 2019.

More photos of Sagebrush/Bell's Sparrows in San Diego from eBird. Click on the photos to rate (1 awful, 2 poor but identifiable, 3 average or small, 4 very good, 5 magazine cover worthy). (Rating eBird photos: How and why.)