Montana Field Guide

A large sparrow; about 18 cm long, mass about 29 g. Sexes monochromatic, but some females show slightly duller plumage than males, especially on crown. Adult is unmistakable. It has olive green upperparts, gray breast, long greenish tail, and conspicuous reddish brown cap. White supraloral spots, submoustachial stripe, chin, throat, and belly contrast strongly with gray on head and breast. Juvenile lacks contrasts, mainly brownish gray above and white below. They are secretive in nature but give away their presence with characteristic ascending, catlike Mew Calls. (Dobbs, Martin, and Martin. The Birds of North America, No. 368, 1998).

In the Bozeman area, normal migration periods are May 24 to June 5 and August 25 to September 10.

Individuals spend much of their time on or near the ground in thick, shrubby habitats. Breeders prefer species-rich shrub communities within shrub-steppe habitats, and disturbed and open areas of montane forest, often created by forest fires (Dobbs, Martin, and Martin 1998).

Seeds, small insects and some fruit (Dobbs, Martin, and Martin 1998).

Builds a bulky nest concealed in shrubs. Eggs are short subelliptical to short oval in shape. They are pale, tinted sky blue turquoise, with reddish brown speckling. Clutch size typically 3 - 4. Nests with eggs have been found from May 27 to July 4. Egg dates are probably similar to those for Colorado: May 19 to June 30.