Whatbird.com

Hi.  I'm new to this birding thing.  My family thinks I have lost my marbles since I put up the "Food Court" on our deck. (Not to mention the 3-tube feeder outside the family room or the office window feeder.)  Anyway, the point is that I am still a novice at identifying birds.  This fellow began showing up for several days in October.  I eventually looked it up in my "Birds of New York State" book.  It looks to me like a Clay-Colored Sparrow but from what I have been able to find out, they are only migrate through NY and are very uncommon in October.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 Bob

 
 

How about a chipping sparrow?

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Dan Kopp
Sacramento

Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings; I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold...

Could be but I believe the Chipping Sparrow has more red color, especially in the crown.  At least in my book, the Chipping Sparrow has a larger and more uniform color in the crown.  The Clay-Colored Sparrow shows a crown with more mixed colors.  There is also that little streak of brown leaving the lower beak.  I don't think that is there on the Chipping Sparrow.  But I've haven't seen enough of either to really know the difference. Here is another picture...

 

 

At this time of year both species are in non-breeding plumage. The eye-line of a non-breeding clay-colored is much paler, and there is also buffy color on the breast which is absent here. Looks like a typical Chipping Sparrow.

Agreed, Chipping mos definitely, in addition to what snowyowl said on a Clay-colored I would expect more buff overall, though that's not the best way to go, this sparrow is way to gray than I would expect on a Clay-colored.

 

 

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featherbrain

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OK then.  Chipping Sparrow it is.  Thanks for the help.