CMac322 23 Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 ...another photo from Laurel, MD this morning. I assume this is a Chipping Sparrow but a wet bird and weird feather mohawk make me question that assumption. Thanks for the confirmation/correction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 712 Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 Pretty certain this is actually a Swamp Sparrow. Nice pic! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 4,272 Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 (edited) This is actually a molting Field Sparrow with the rather plain face, pink bill, and orange eyeline and cap. Edited September 27, 2020 by The Bird Nuts 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 712 Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 1 minute ago, The Bird Nuts said: This is actually a Field Sparrow with the rather plain face, pink bill, and orange eyeline and cap. Huh. I'm gonna have to go over the sparrows in the ol' field guide again! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneat 313 Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 Agree with Field Sparrow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Leukering 2,280 Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 20 hours ago, Sneat said: Agree with Field Sparrow Me, too. However, the most-interesting aspect of this bird is the trashed flight feathers (remiges and rectrices). Neither adults nor immatures should be showing anything like this in late September. While, on average, immatures have older flight feathers than do adults in September, there isn't enough of a difference of feather age to make this kind of difference. I'd guess that this is an adult that was late breeding and has only just begun its prebasic molt, which might be indicated by a few brighter scaps and crown feathers. Weird bird. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CMac322 23 Posted September 28, 2020 Author Share Posted September 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Tony Leukering said: Me, too. However, the most-interesting aspect of this bird is the trashed flight feathers (remiges and rectrices). Neither adults nor immatures should be showing anything like this in late September. While, on average, immatures have older flight feathers than do adults in September, there isn't enough of a difference of feather age to make this kind of difference. I'd guess that this is an adult that was late breeding and has only just begun its prebasic molt, which might be indicated by a few brighter scaps and crown feathers. Weird bird. I had to look up four words in your response and then re-read the post several times. I appreciate you taking the time to educate (however much I manage to retain). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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