Fox Sparrow

This Fox Sparrow popped out of a blackberry tangle today in response to my imitation of a Pygmy Owl's tooting, a first-time sighting for my friend visiting from Massachussetts. It appears to be the "Sooty" form, which is typical here in the Pacific northwest, but found here in the lowlands of Oregon only in winter. There are rumors that it someday may be granted recognition as a full species. (Not that that's likely to make much difference to this bird scratching around in the soggy leaves on a November afternoon.)