Timiskaming Birds Forum

 Looks like a Tree Sparrow at my neighbor's feeder...

Hi Serge,

You are a busy guy.

I don't see the central spot...did you see it? If it hasn't one could it be a female house sparrow??

 No, I did not see the central spot, not even a trace. I kind of ignored that... (I've see other sparrows that are supposed to have a darn spot, but isn't very obvious...) I suppose it could be a female house sparrow. I was looking more at the face and head pattern. I just don't see that heavy a set of markings in the house sparrow literature I looked at. I even thought Chipping Sparrow, but then the yellow on the bill made me lean to Tree Sparrow. Then again, the yellow seems to go a little to the upper bill... Oh well!! Such are the trials and tribulations of a beginning bird watcher. Thanks for the feed-back Gert.

Oh the joys of birdwatching...the bird probably is a tree sparrow.  I just couldn't see the central spot. I saw a picture of a female house finch and that is why I asked.

What amazes me about birds is that no matter how long you have been birding there are MANY times that even a familiar bird will cause you to question, 'What is that?' Put the bird in a different setting..another season..the sun behind... the sun in front..the shadows..etc. and voila...you have  new bird!  I once was birding with a well known 'expert' and a another friend when they got all excited about this 'bird' high  up in a tree  and I thought, 'These guys are trying to pull my leg.' ( because I knew what it was) Their banter went on for some time till the bird flew closer...It was a pine siskin. The early morning light..the shadows of the forest and .....a bird well known to them caused a moment of excitement.

Cheers Serge..keep up the reports buddy!

 Gert, you were right! Today I got the cold opportunity to take more shots of the same bird, and was a bit more steady with the camera. (I rested it on my hat on the fence post.) After looking at the shots, I have to say: Scratch the American Tree Sparrow, and add House Sparrow. Without the spot, and given the season, and your experience, the odds were in your favor.