The Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) was listed in 2004 as a very rare visitor from spring through fall and casual in winter. It was first confirmed from Grand Manan in September, 1973. It was found almost annually in the fall after that (Birds or New Brunswick: An Annotated List. 2004). This species has been seen more regularly since 2004. It is not unusual at all to see it in all seasons. To my knowledge we have not yet had a breeding record but according to the above reference, males have been found on territory in June and July in old fields in various locations about the province.
The Clay-colored Sparrow is a small, slim sparrow with a long, notched tail, unstreaked breast, buffy brown ear coverts, a broad white supercilium and a whitish median crown stripe. Before this past year the only other sparrow species we had to differentiate it from was the winter and juvenile Chipping Sparrow. Chipping Sparrows are darker on the back with chestnut tones rather than buff and tan. The Chipping Sparrow's face is more strongly marked with a dark line that extends from the eye to the beak. The Chipping Sparrow does not usually have the white supercilium and the moustachial line of the Clay-colored Sparrow. The breast of the Chipping Sparrow is usually gray and not buff as in the Clay-colored. For a quick reference in the field, look for the presence or absence of the dark line from the eye to the bill.
Since 2023 we now have to distinguish the Clay-colored Sparrow from the Brewer's Sparrow. The Brewer's Sparrow that showed up at a feeder in Quispamsis gave us a lesson in distinguishing the two species, a difficult lesson it was. The Brewer's Sparrow is very similar to the Clay-colored Sparrow but can be differentiated by the Clay-colored showing a white central crown stripe, a gray nape, and distinct dark borders to its cheek patches as well as dark whiskers. We will leave the rest to the experts!
Given that the Clay-colored Sparrow hybridizes with the Chipping and Brewer's Sparrows, identification could be difficult. Presumably, however, this would be a rare occurrence.
The Clay-colored Sparrow is 12-14 cm long, the same size approximately as the Chipping Sparrow. The ones I have seen have been in the fall and their plumage looks very faded. Note all the gray, buff and light brown in the plumage. The way I have found the ones I have been lucky enough to see is by their song. It is a series of 2 to 8 short, low-pitched loud buzzes. They remind you of a loud insect, buzz buzz buzz. If you hear a buzzing sound that seems to be a bird, take special care to find it because it is likely to be rare.
Clay-colored Sparrows prefer uncultivated, bushy areas with bushes interspersed with grassy areas. The breeding range of this species includes most of northern US and all of Canada east of the Rockies to the St. Lawrence River, north to northern Ontario, the northern prairies, and into Yukon and Northwest Territories. In the fall they migrate in flocks to southern Texas and Mexico.
During breeding season the males are persistent singers and even sing at night. The nest is built in a bush or clump of weeds up to 2 m. off the ground. Three to five blue-green eggs are laid in a cup-shaped nest built from hair and fine grasses. Incubation lasts 10-12 days and the male assists the female in this duty. The diet of Clay-colored Sparrows is seeds and insects which they forage from the ground and low trees.
The ploughing of prairie land has diminished the population of Clay-colored Sparrows. The species has, however, extended its range to the northeast. That may be what we are seeing or we are seeing the effects of global warming with more records of this species being seen in NB. According to a scientific model devised by Audubon scientists, global warming will have dire effects on Clay-colored Sparrows (and many other species). A 1.5ºC increase will decrease the Clay-colored Sparrow habitat collectively by 14%; a 2ºC increase will cause a 25% habitat loss and a 3ºC increase will cause a 51% habitat loss. Wow, we have a lot of trouble looming on the horizon!
I am happy we can occasionally see a Clay-colored Sparrow in NB. With diligence in summer or with success at feeders in late fall or winter, we can add this beautiful species to our lists. It is not enough to just admire and list this species. We need to be advocates against global warming and severe ecological changes so our vulnerable birds can survive.
