Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melospiza ("song finch") lincolnii (Thomas Lincoln, a friend of Audobon)

Adult Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Melospiza lincolnii gracilis
Weight: 17-19g/kg  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 19-22cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A somewhat more timid member of the New World Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrow favour more mountainous and boggy habitats where they are primarily ground feeding. They winter in the Southern US and Mexico. Thomas Lincoln for whom they are named, shot a bird in Nova Scotia, which he presented to his friend James Audobon who named it after him.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melospiza
SUBSPECIES: M. l. lincolnii, M. l. gracilis, M. l. alticola
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Alaska, Rockies and inland on the West Coast States, Winters on West Coast and Southern Saates 
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melospiza ("song finch") melodia ("singing")

Adult male Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) at Hayward, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Unclear
Weight: 11-53g  /  Length: 11-18cm  /  Wingspan: 18-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

When I first heard this species singing, I understood why it is named the Song Sparrow - compared to other seed "finch like" birds it is very melodic and clear. Is is also a species with a huge array of subspecies which seem to adapt readily to different habitats - there are multiple endemic subspecies in California alone!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melospiza
SUBSPECIES: M. m. melodia, M. m.atlantica, M. m.maxima, M. m.sanaka, M. m.insignis, M. m.kenaiensis, M. m. caurina, M. m.rufina, M. m. morphna, M. m. merrilli, M. m. montana, M. m. cleonensis, M. m.gouldii, M. m.maxillaris, M. m. heermanni, M. m.graminea, M. m. samuelis, M. m. pusillula, M. m. fallax, M. m. rivularis, M. m. goldmani, M. m. mexicana, M. m. villai, M. m. adusta, M. m. zacapu

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found at different times of the year through every state except Hawai'i
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose, Berkeley and Hayward  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.