This afternoon, I was birding CR 428 in eastern Williamson County. I was on CR 428, just 0.1 east of its intersection with CR 361, at 3:37pm when I came across a bird that totally had me befuddled. It popped out of the large grassy field on the north side of the road with several other sparrows. It was basically a large, flat-headed, sparrow-like bird, but what struck me was it rufous cap, white eye-line, and black mask. At first, the back and tail looked to me like they had a greenish tint, but the pictures I took show that the back and tail were more brown. The pictures I took also show the gray belly and white throat. It may have stood on the road for about 10 seconds, making hard, rapid tik sounds, before skittering off into the tangles of vegetation on the south side of the road along the San Gabriel River. I attempted to pish/squeak it back into view, which kind of worked for the next minute it or so as it moved around rapidly in the brush, madly tiking the whole time. It then went quiet. Again, my first impression was maybe some kind of brush-finch or something, but now that I am back at the house with my field guides and looking at the photos I took on my computer, it appears to be a Striped Sparrow (though if I am missing something and folks think it is something else, please let me know), a species that is apparently endemic to the northwest and central Mexican highlands. The closest in Mexico it gets to Texas appears to be the boundary between Sonora and Chihuahua states. I have not searched extensively, so have no idea about their migratory movements or their status in the bird markets. Habitat is noted as open pine woodland, fields, and meadows, esp. with bunch grasses. It is also apparently known to perching on posts or rocks (in this instance I guess the road will do). I have attached pictures and will upload the video that captures audio of its call seperately. For anyone who may go a-chasing this sparrow, I last saw it around the no dumping sign on the south side of the road. Also, the road does get a fair bit of traffic, so be courteous and please dont block the roadway.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 01:59:23 +0000
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