It is currently classified as a "subspecies group"[1] within the fox sparrows pending a more-thorough genetic assay of all forms.

It has long been suspected to be a separate evolutionary lineage due to morphological distinctness (Swarth 1920).

These have quite similar plumage, but can be readily distinguished according to mtDNA sequence and haplotype data (Zink 1994).

It breeds in relatively short willow habitats in montane regions from the interior of northwest British Columbia to Nevada and eastern California (Rising & Beadle 1996).

Like all "fox sparrow" subspecies, it is differentiated into some morphologically recognizable allopatric populations, which are still genetically indistinguishable due to their recent evolution (Zink 1994).