13 replies to this topic

[garitoml]

I'm new at birding and would like help in identifying this little guy  IMG_3051.jpg   177K   106 downloads. This little bird only stayed a few minutes. His crown is chocolate brown and his throat and belly are grayish white. The chest is very dark (black or brown). He had a black beak. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Parula]

house sparrow

[garitoml]

Thanks!

[Sgtmac1]

Welcome to Whatbird. Yes, it is a male House Sparrow AKA "English Sparrow". That is all I ever new them as when I was growing up. I didn't know they were called "House Sparrows" until I picked up my first field guide a few years ago. Mac.

[BigSkyKen]

@Sgtmac1, I'm glad you mentioned that about calling them English Sparrows, that is what I remember them as, back "in the day!"

[sdearth]

@Sgtmac1, I'm glad you mentioned that about calling them English Sparrows, that is what I remember them as, back "in the day!"

That is like "Rock Doves" I call the pigions

[Sgtmac1]

@Sgtmac1, I'm glad you mentioned that about calling them English Sparrows, that is what I remember them as, back "in the day!"

I just found out a few months ago that my "Sparrow Hawks" from back in the day, are now "American Kestrals". I found that out by looking at a 1942 copy of "The Birds of America" by John James Audubon, that I have. There seems to have been a lot of name changes since 1942.

[sdearth]

I just found out a few months ago that my "Sparrow Hawks" from back in the day, are now "American Kestrals". I found that out by looking at a 1942 copy of "The Birds of America" by John James Audubon, that I have. There seems to have been a lot of name changes since 1942.

I call them sparrow hawks. One came to my bird feeder in southern Ohio and gave a new definition to bird feeder.

I live in Georgia and I keep looking for them. they have another one down here that looks just like the sparrow hawk only slightly smaller, called a southern kestral

[Sgtmac1]

I had a Sharp-shinned that spent the winter shopping at my feeders. In "Birds of Washington State", Sharp-shinned and Cooper's winter habitat is actually listed as "feeders".

[spookyjimjams]

House Finches in California used to be called Linnets, although they only look like the real Linnet of Europe and Asia.

Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks were all called Chicken Hawks, and still are (by my family at least) in some areas.

American Wigeons used to be called Baldpates.

Most recently, Common Moorhens have changed to be Common Gallinules.

[Sgtmac1]

House Finches in California used to be called Linnets, although they only look like the real Linnet of Europe and Asia.

Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks were all called Chicken Hawks, and still are (by my family at least) in some areas.

American Wigeons used to be called Baldpates.

Most recently, Common Moorhens have changed to be Common Gallinules.

Looking back at my 1942 "field guide", Peregrin Falcons were called "Duck Hawks".

My apologies to you, Garitoml, for turning your ID question into a trip to "back in the day", Once again, welcome to whatbird, Mac.

[spyonabird]

Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks were all called Chicken Hawks, and still are (by my family at least) in some areas.

hmmm...Chicken Hawks. Is that what was always chasing Foghorn Leghorn??
oops...showing my age.

[Pat B.]

House Finches in California used to be called Linnets

My English grandmother lived with us in So. Calif. when I was growing up and, trust me, we had a yard full of Linnets! Not so long ago I remembered that and wondered why I haven't seen them in years and years; it took a Google search to turn up the answer that it was House Finches all along.

[JimBob]

Welcome to Whatbird!!!