American Tree Sparrow,  Spizella arborea

Number of accepted American Tree Sparrow records for Louisiana = 1 as of 25th Report of the LBRC (2022)

Accepted Records

Two, adult male and adult female (1979-036) on 10 February 1979, Claiborne: approx. 9 mi. N Haynesville, N32.983333o, W92.88333 o; Larry R. Raymond and Don B. Shepard (ph of specimens) submitted the report, and D. Kendrick (DK 3 and 4; specimens are archived at the Louisiana Tech University, Ruston). This flock was originally discovered by the landowner, John Harson, who reported the birds to Louisiana Tech University personnel (fide John K. Dillon). This represents the first LBRC-accepted state occurrence, and these are the only known specimens for Louisiana; Lowery (1974) reported six occurrences for the state on which basis the species was retained on the state list following the LBRC�s Lowery review.




Unaccepted Records

One (1977-03; formerly 84-29) near Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, on 3 February 1977.

One (1989-14) on 23 Dec 1989, Evangeline: � mi. E of Hwy. 13 on gravel road, approximately 2 mi. N of Hwy. 10. This record involved a brief sighting of a species for which there are very few well-documented Louisiana records. Although the description superficially indicated American Tree Sparrow, dissenting members were not convinced that the bird was even a Spizella versus a Melospiza. Because Swamp Sparrows can show these same field marks (e.g., bi-colored bill, rufous cap with grey center, and dark breast spot) used to identify this bird, members were reluctant to accept the record without more extensive details.

One (86-1) near Ball, Rapides Parish, on 18 December 1985.

One (1997-64) on 20 December 1997, La Salle: Nebo. The main mark given to identify this individual as an American Tree Sparrow was a dark spot on its breast. Members considered this insufficient to eliminate superficially similar sparrow species (e.g., Swamp Sparrow) or a sparrow missing feathers that could appear as a spot.

One each day (2012-149) on 23 November and 26 December 2012, Ouachita: Ruston, Louisiana Tech University campus, over Carson-Taylor Hall. Identification was based on single flight calls captured by an automated recording device. The sound clips were so brief/faint that they were difficult to distinguish. Although printed sonograms were provided and were suggestive, there was little analysis/discussion of the data and one sonogram also seemed close to or within the range of variation of other species (e.g., Savannah Sparrow).