5 replies to this topic

[NatureLady]

seen NM last month

[illin]

For some reason I am having trouble with this one. I will make a guess, but it is just a guess. Chipping Sp.? Will be interesting to see what it is and why it is what it is.

[Platypus]

This bird is a Chipping Sparrow - absence of a bi-colored bill and presence of that neopolitan look with the eyestripe darker than the cap eliminates American Tree Sparrow.  Eye stripe that extends to the bill eliminates immature White-crowned Sparrow.  Nice close shot!

[NatureLady]

Thanks the cap and eyeline being different colors was throwing me too!!

[PoorMatty]

In most parts of the country, a sparrow with a red crown and a black eyeline is going to be a Chipping Sparrow, and that is indeed the case here.

[illin]

My confusion came from the fact that by the time I see them they are in their breeding finest. They are much easier to ID them then with the white head stripe and bright rufous crown..