Below is a the back of a typical Sagebrush Sparrow I photographed recently, east of Ajo.
Other Sagebrush Sparrows I've photographed over the years can be seen at this LINK.
Moral of the story: it is a good idea to have updated field guides.
Bell's Sparrow
This sparrow was photographed January 8 in Cabeza Prieta NWR. At the
time I ID'd it as Sagebrush Sparrow, but after reading this
article I have changed my mind. I think this is a Bell's Sparrow, which
is a life species for me. Although I have the 2nd Edition of Sibley's Guide to
Birds, it does not do a good job of describing the canescens subspecies
of Bell's Sparrow, which is what is expected in this area. My other field guides
are out of date and do not even include Bell's Sparrow, which was recently split
from Sage Sparrow (Sage Sparrow is now Sagebrush Sparrow and Bell's Sparrow).
The lack of stripes on the back and the thick black malar bar add up to the
canescens subspecies of Bell's Sparrow, according to Pyle.
Below is a the back of a typical Sagebrush Sparrow I photographed recently, east
of Ajo.
Other Sagebrush Sparrows I've photographed over the years can be seen at this
LINK.
Moral of the story: it is a good idea to have updated field guides.