Whatbird.com

I don't have a clue what this one is either - sorry, it's not the best picture in the world... any more ideas?

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~Makachoa~

Where are you located?

Bainbridge Island, Washington.

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~Makachoa~

If it's Washington it's Bewick's wren...

Thanks so much, snowyowl. I don't even see these frequently, so I wasn't sure. Thanks again!

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~Makachoa~

Well, my first impression was a 'Pacific Northwest' Song Sparrow.  I would think a Bewick's Wren would have a much thinner, longer bill, but it may just be the angle.  Bewick's Wrens often, but not always, cock their tail up in the characteristic wren position too.  What do others think?

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Enter your bird sightings into eBird!

Hmm... I was never quite sure about this bird, but you do have a point. Wrens do tend to have thinner bills. Yeah, and the bit about the tails seems correct. My first impression was a sparrow as well. Anyone else?

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~Makachoa~

I looked at this again, and I have to admit I looked at this photo for about one second the first time around and was way too hasty (should know better than that by now).  The breast is indeed streaked, and that doesn't fit with Bewick's wren at all.  Also, you're right that the tail isn't cocked upward.  Probably is a song sparrow after all.  It's often tricky to be sure about some of these with just one distant photo to go by. That's why several opinions are always best.

Yes, well thank you so much for another opinion. I'll consider looking into the song sparrow and doing some comparing.

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~Makachoa~

My knee-jerk thought was song sparrow as well.

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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...

Its a Bewick's wren.

I agree.. definitely a Bewick's Wren.

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We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
Chief Seattle (paraphrased)

My first impression was Bewick's wren, but look at the bird closely.  I'm pretty sure I see streaking on the breast, which Bewick's wren lacks, and also pale cheeks whereas Bewick's has dark cheeks.  The bill is not definitive in the picture due to the angle.  I just can't get Bewick's out of this.

I originally thought it was a wren, because of the position the bird is in. But once I looked at the picture it has to be a Song Sparrow. The facial markings that are visible point more to sparrow than to the wren, because althought it has the eyebrow, it has the line going through the eye of the Song Sparrow as well as the cheek markings. Also, the breast is most definitly streaked, which is perfect for the sparrow. The tail is also a tail of a Song Sparrow, it would have stripes across it if it was a wren. And lastly, the bill, though it lookes a little too long and curved for a Song Sparrow, it is not long enough for the wren, and it is probably caused by the angle of the photo. In conclusion, Song Sparrow.

Good eye, Ephily. I saved the photo and enlarged it for better detail...... you are correct. Song Sparrow it is!!

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We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
Chief Seattle (paraphrased)