Need ID

[Roy Priest]

Taken in Arizona, fields of Alfalfa and other grasses.

[Paul Guris]

I'm going with Vesper Sparrow. It has a big white eye ring, the face pattern seems right, the large pink bill with a dusky upper culmen is correct, and it has a blackish tail with what appear to be white outer tail feathers.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Looks for a Vesper... forked tail is throwing me a bit tho. Beautiful image!

[Paul Guris]

Sandy, looking at some images online and a Sibley guide, it appears that the slightly forked tail is consistent for Vesper. I knew that was true for Savannah but I never realized Vesper showed it as well.

[Roy Priest]

Thanks Paul and Sandy. Lots of birds here in Arizona I have never seen. Forgot my Sibleys. There are at least 4 really dark morph RT's around my place and I think one may be a Harlan's / RT inter grade. I can post a pic if you like.

[Paul Guris]

If you want an informed opinion on dark Red-taileds vs. Harlan's, I think you'll need Declan to weigh in. I believe he actually lives in their zone.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Thanks, Paul on the "fork"... my Sibley's version didn't show it....
I won't be much help on a Harlan's... but would love to see one!