ID Help Please - I believe this is a sparrow of some type.

[balayzell]

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

[HamRHead]

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.

[PalmWarbler]

Yes, Eastern Bluebird and House Sparrow. @balayzell Welcome to Whatbird!

Edited August 15, 2021 by PalmWarbler

[balayzell]

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

[Seanbirds]

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.

[Peromyscus]

Welcome, balayzell. #1 is Eastern Bluebird and the other two are House Sparrows.

[hbvol50]

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