(Click on the photo to enlarge)
This is an abnormal bird that we banded a few years ago and we needed to pull the field guide out for its proper identification. When we took it out of the mist-net we said “hmm . . . . now isn’t this different”! We took some measurements, scratched our heads and lucky had some other birds to compare it to before saying it was a “. . . . . .”!
If you found this bird out in the field . . . . what species would you think it could be?? Use your field guide and be sure to look for ALL available field marks. I figured everyone was ready for a harder birdQUIZ (but then again the last one seemed to bring in a great discussion and I thought it was easy)!
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23 responses so far ↓
Mike // April 2, 2008 at 9:42 pm |
Wow, this is a tough one. I’ll hazard Grasshopper Sparrow because of the large bill, short wings, and proportionally big feet. I’m looking forward to finding out what this oddball is.
John // April 2, 2008 at 10:50 pm |
I’ll second Mike’s guess. I’m thinking something in genus Ammodramus because of the large bill and short spiky tail. (I do realize that some feather wear is involved in the latter.) From that group, Grasshopper Sparrow seems to make the most sense because of the apparent lack of breast streaks and overall plainness of the plumage on its back. Henslow’s, Baird’s, and LeConte’s have dramatic dark facial markings that ought to come through despite the lack of melanin. There is no sign of the orange markings characteristic of Nelson’s. Saltmarsh and Seaside seem unlikely based on range.
mon@rch // April 2, 2008 at 11:06 pm |
I wish I had the measurements that we captured on this bird to share with everyone! Those measurements really helped us with the identification of this bird!
Nick // April 3, 2008 at 12:17 am |
A spizella… field sparrow?
Tim H // April 3, 2008 at 11:51 am |
I’m going to say Chipping Sparrow. This is tough!
Laura // April 3, 2008 at 10:00 pm |
I’m not a birder, but it looks like some sort of finch, wide short bill, stout little body, small size. Just a thought
aullori // April 4, 2008 at 4:21 am |
you have honestly got me here – I agree it’s got a bit of a finch beak however, rarely do I see them that pinkish-orange. Which pushed me into sparrow land too… if I were to guesstimate (and it’s a complete guess) I’d say female black-chinned without the proper coloring in her wings. ?????? stumper!
Nathan // April 4, 2008 at 8:01 am |
Tail looks a little long for Grasshopper and I think I can see some trace of a pattern on the head.
I’m with Tim, looks like Chipping Sparrow.
threecollie // April 4, 2008 at 8:45 am |
I am not the birder that most folks here are…I like
em but I bog down in the sparrow and warbler world. However, my first impression was house finch….it is too delicate though, isn’t it. No clue I guess.
Lynne at Hasty Brook // April 4, 2008 at 11:41 am |
My first guess is chipping sparrow, but I’m not the best bird id’er in town…
Animal Guy // April 4, 2008 at 3:32 pm |
Chipping sparrow??
Pinar // April 4, 2008 at 7:09 pm |
The first thought that came to my mind when I saw the bird was ‘finch’ and that was just from the shape of the beak… but, not having experience and since the bird is abnormal I decided to stay quiet on this one… until… I noticed other beginner birders started chirping and that gave me the courage to chirp too. I read what the other’s have guessed the bird’s identity to be and I looked each one up but since it is abnormal it’s really hard for a beginner to tell! I can see how the breast streaks are missing and how there is a faint pattern on the head – eyebrow and crown. I’m going to guess field sparrow!
Susan Gets Native // April 5, 2008 at 12:29 am |
Since the size of the bird compared to the hand seems to be “very tiny” I will say a very very light-colored chipping sparrow.
Disclaimer: I am more into raptors than LBJ’s.
David Bell // April 5, 2008 at 4:33 pm |
I’ll say Field Sparrow. Having never actually seen one (only heard), it was still my first reaction, and after looking at the field guide I’ll stick to it. It isn’t really that far off normal…just a bit pale with some tail feather wear (not completely albino or anything).
Chipping Sparrow would have a black bill, and would likely show a darker cap and a paler eyebrow, even in this leucistic-type form.
Grasshopper Sparrow is much bulkier with a short tail, and also has a mostly black bill.
Linda in Erie // April 5, 2008 at 7:15 pm |
I think it is a field sparrow, abnormal in that it has a diluted color gene? I don’t know if birds have that but dogs and rabbits sometimes do so I’m putting my other animal experience to the test.
mon@rch // April 5, 2008 at 9:03 pm |
Many different comments on what people think this bird could be! Not everyone can be right but I am not giving the answer just yet! I promise to give it soon after a few others have the option to put their 2 cents in!
Birdfreak // April 7, 2008 at 5:44 pm |
Perhaps a new species… (Spizella monarchii)
I’ll guess bleached Field Sparrow
Jochen // April 8, 2008 at 6:24 am |
It does remind me of a Chippy, but Field Sparrow is also a possibility.
aullori // April 8, 2008 at 4:03 pm |
“Spizella monarchii” ~birdfreak
mon@rch // April 8, 2008 at 10:32 pm |
I knew this would be a tough one and I luckily had the advantage of seeing the bird in the hand with its measurements to compare to the book. This wasn’t one of my birds (was a sub-permited bander of mine) and wish I could have included those measurements with the post. One of the key things about this bird was the fact that it wasn’t 100% albino and only partial albino that gave us some field markings to use(Or we would have had a harder time with it)!
Some of the guesses were; Grasshopper Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Ammodramus species, Black-chinned Sparrow, House Finch, Spizella monarchii (Like that one!!) and of course Susan guessed LBJ (Little Brown Job)! I am not going to analyze each species but this bird is for sure a Field Sparrow.
Looking at this normal Field Sparrow and comparing it to the photo above . . . you will notice that the bill shape and coloring is identical. It is hard to see from the photo above but the back pattern and wing bars match with a Field Sparrow! What is confusing with this bird is the difference from what should be white and what is actually off white! This might have more to do with the exposure of the picture than its actual color. We were extremely interested in the light brown coloring in the auricular area but once again this is a mutant species! All other field marks (although faded) were there and was a great find! It was banded in summer 2006 and never returned in 2007! Thanks everyone for guessing this tough bird!
Tiff // April 28, 2008 at 10:05 pm |
I know! (I think.) It’s part chipping sparrow,
part swift the way that the tail spreads out.
I’m goin’ with Tim
Tiff // April 28, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
OR, It could be a bird that got it’s tail mowed up!
lexi // November 12, 2008 at 1:49 am |
I’m going to say chipping sparrow. I’m 16 years old, and I’m still learning, but I have a passion for birds. There is trace evidence of the tell-tale cap of the chipping sparrow, and I’ve handled them before…is this right?