balayzell Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 Hi, We saw this bird pair from our backyard perched on a power line. I searched the Audubon Guide in detail - especially sparrows, but nothing seems to match. Location: SE Michigan. Date: Aug 14, 2021. The male's underside is shown, as is the female's. The black band on the male's tail should be a distinctive feature. The third photo is the female backside. They were sitting next to each other for quite a while, and calling out with just two quick notes: high and low. -Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRHead Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 The first is an Eastern Bluebird. I would attribute the black band to a shadow from the power line. The second is indeed a sparrow. It may be a House Sparrow but I'm not completely sure. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalmWarbler Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 (edited) Yes, Eastern Bluebird and House Sparrow. @balayzell Welcome to Whatbird! Edited August 15, 2021 by PalmWarbler 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balayzell Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 (edited) Thank you very much. I see clearly now that these photos are of two different species. In 43 years living in the same house, this is the first bluebird we've seen from our yard. Edited August 15, 2021 by balayzell 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 Just now, balayzell said: Thank you very much. I see clearly now that these photos are of two different species. In 43 years living in the same house, this is the first bluebird we've seen from our yard. I must say however that the black band across the tail of the bluebird is still puzzling to me. I don't see this on any of the bluebird images I've viewed in field guides or online. Like @HamRHead said, the “black band” is caused by the shadow of the power line on the bird’s tail. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 Welcome, balayzell. #1 is Eastern Bluebird and the other two are House Sparrows. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbvol50 Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 4 hours ago, Seanbirds said: Like @HamRHead said, the “black band” is caused by the shadow of the power line on the bird’s tail. Yes 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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