Fox sparrow

Alive Fox Sparrow

First Snow! Thought this would slow hunting, note Alva wearing bell.
So this was a tricky one. I sent a picture to ADF&G and they identified it as a Fox Sparrow. I thought it was a gray cheecked thrush which is a species of concern and wanted to double check if it was, but it wasn't. Fox sparrows have a conspicuous buff eye ring (check) and this ring rules out Gray-cheeked Thrush because they have a indistinct eye ring. Fox sparrows also has a speckled area in front of eyes. Their beeks are a yellow/brown in color as well, unlike the thrush.

ADF&G also noted cats are effective hunters (even when de-clawed and belled.) Also noted was that I should keep my cats inside and walk them outside on a leash and be careful not to let them too close to birds even then.

Common in southeast Alaska in fall

Habitat mixed deciduous conifers, shrubs, thickets. Nests low in tree or bushes.