Fairly common in W, regular fall migrant in E, commonest in Aug. Usually found on the ground in open areas such as lawns, fields, parks, and often near trees and shrubs, but will sit on fences or in trees. informs small flocks,.Has a horizontal gait as it shuffles along the ground. In flight, lLook for the striking white tail pattern. Call a ‘tsik.’ Song: a varied series of sweet notes. ID: A large, muscular but sleek sparrow. Long rounded tail. Head often looks pointed, in part due to the conical bill. Bold head pattern is really the key ID feeature. Plain underparts have a dark breast spot. Fall migrants in 1st-w plumage sometimes have duller head patterns, darker breast sides, and retained juvenile streaking, others are adult-like.