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Is this a baby House Sparrow?

Last post 05-19-2008, 3:57 AM by misseymarie. 6 replies.
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  •  05-13-2008, 3:07 PM 37749

    Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    Attachment: Baby Bird.jpg
    I just took this picture of a baby bird I think might be a House Sparrow. Can anyone ID this cute little guy?
  •  05-17-2008, 5:41 PM 38784 in reply to 37749

    Re: Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    it's hard to tell with the picture. but if it is, it's not a baby. it's a fledgeling.
  •  05-18-2008, 3:58 AM 38825 in reply to 38784

    Re: Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    Thanks for your reply...I saw a House Sparrow sitting on a branch next to this fledgeling several times during the day yesterday so I'm guessing it is a House Sparrow. I've noticed is some posts the words...baby, juvenile and fledgeling, can someone tell me how to tell the difference? The people on this forum are a wealth of knowledge, it is one of the best learing tools, less then a year ago I could only identify a couple of birds and now I can ID about 30. I still have trouble with Sparrows. Thanks again RTHA.

     

  •  05-18-2008, 9:59 AM 38860 in reply to 38825

    Re: Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    Baby is generally referring to the stage in whichthe bird is still unfethered or its feathers are coming in. It should be in the nest and is being cared for completely by the parent bird(s).

    A fledgling has all of its feathers and is now spending more time out of the nest learning the ropes as it were from the parents. They are usually starting to self forage but still get fed by the parent.

    Juvenile is fully fledged and is on its own but still young (less than a year old usually as juveniles are the ones that fledged that spring/summer). It is often not as big as it will be t its full growth and in some birds the colors will be a bit different until the bird has its first adult molt when its full adult colors will emerge.

    I am not an expert so someone else may have a better more complete definition of the terms but this is basically the stages as I understand them.

  •  05-18-2008, 6:18 PM 39022 in reply to 38860

    Re: Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    you hit it right on the botton
  •  05-18-2008, 10:49 PM 39059 in reply to 38825

    Re: Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    Baby - Young bird of unknown age.  Not a precise term.

    Fledgling - A young bird which has recently left its nest.  

    Juvenile - A young bird in juvenal plumage.  Juvenal (yes that's the way it's spelled) is the first plumage stage in which the bird has real contour feathers.   Some birds have a downy first plumage called "natal down."  That is not the same as juvenal plumage.

    HTH 

     


    Joseph Morlan
    Fall Birding Classes in San Francisco start September 9
  •  05-19-2008, 3:57 AM 39072 in reply to 39059

    Re: Is this a baby House Sparrow?

    I thank you all for your imput, I have a much better understanding of the differences now.

    misseymarie Big Smile

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