Grasshopper Sparrow

Description:

From a distance these sparrows look the same as others. But the differences are the sloping forhead, eye ring, yellow patch in front of the eye and a short forked tail. Dark brown crown with a light color down the center. Face and chest are a light brown. Chest lacks the streaks, but the back has some with a mix of light and dark brown, grey, black and white. The Grasshopper is a shy bird with a distinct sound that sounds almost like a grasshopper. It is native to N. America and migrates to Mexico. In California it is considered rare

Habitat:

Ones I have found are in grassy open areas but along fence lines where some refuge of small shrubs or low growing plants.