Sooty Fox Sparrow, Passerella Iliaca, 14. Royalty-Free Stock Image

Even though the Sooty fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca, is a subspecies of the fox sparrow, even within this grouping, there are additional differences between the Northern and Southern grouping, with the Southern being a darker coloring. There are in fact six recognized subspecies, with the townsendi being this particular one. Normally found along the Pacific coast of Alaska, but breeds during the winters in the Central California area, like these, at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, February 2022.