902 species. A new sparrow!!

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At first sight is a bird that looks like Rufous-colllared Sparrow. But you better be carefull. One individual of Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) was reported and photographed by Steven Aguilar in Turrialba during the 13th, 14th and 15th of January. Recent reports around CATIE indicate that the birds still in the area. The presence of this Spizella sets the official list of Costa Rica in 902 species.

Checking the picture they send to UOCR (attached), note the broad buffy whitish list. Buffy cheeks bordered by two dark brown stripes, this allows us to differentiate Spizella Passerina. It is also very evident the neck and sides of neck gray. . They have a pale crown stripe on a dark brown crown, a white line over the eyes, a dark line through the eyes and brown wings with wing bars.

The birds migrates from North America and is also found in Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and other West Indies. In Belize is considered vagrant, and eBird reports it in Cayman Islands.

Reading UOCR´, blog, Luis Sandoval says: My guess is that this birds is part of the population in Mexico.
Now you know. Next time you are birdwatching Turrialba area better open your eyes!!