Small, drab sparrow of scrubby areas in western North America, from Alaska to Mexico. Slender and long-tailed, similar in shape and size to Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows. Note the pale gray nape, pale lores, and plain facial pattern. Breeds mostly in sagebrush; winters in loose flocks in any brushy or grassy area, often with other sparrows. Song is a long series of buzzy, reedy notes mixed with trills; tones and long duration of song are unique.