Prefers shrubby hillsides and slopes with large bushes and rocky outcroppings. Long-tailed, pale gray sparrow with contrasting brown back and small pink bill. Face of adult male looks like it's covered in soot. Reminiscent of Dark-eyed Junco but no white in tail; also note streaked back and brown edges on wing feathers. Song is often likened to a dropped ping-pong ball: an accelerating series of notes, not as clear-toned as Field Sparrow.