Clay-colored Sparrow

14 cm (5-6") Fairly common. North central United States, western and central Canada; in winter southern United States. Brushy open areas, prairies, streamside thickets.

Brown streaked upperparts. Clear whitish underparts. Central pale crown stripe. Broad light eyebrow stripe. Brown cheek patch. Gray collar. Brown rump. Similar winter Chipping Sparrow has a contrasting gray rump. Brewer's Sparrow has no central crown stripe.

Song: unbirdlike identical slow low-pitched buzzes.

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