It is currently classified as a "subspecies group"[1] within the fox sparrow pending wider-spread acceptance of species status.

The upperparts and head are a variable shade of brown, with streaks on the underparts of the same color.

Sooties prefer to breed in willows and alders at the edge of wet habitats.

Beadle & Rising (2003) describe their call note as a sharp zitt or thik, while Sibley (2000) says it is a loud smack like that of the red fox sparrow.

Six subspecies are usually recognized in the sooty fox sparrow complex, ranging from unalaschensis in the Aleutians to fuliginosa in extreme northwestern Washington: