GracesWarbler Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 Hi folks. I saw some little brown birds this morning (9/30) in northern Arizona. The location has some little ponds and plants. Here are some photos of different birds. Are these Song Sparrows? What should I be looking for to ID birds like these? The stripy fronts? Also, in the first photo, is it probably a female (upper) and male (lower), due to the size difference? https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/609443642 https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/609443644 https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/609443643 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruslan Balagansky Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 Since nobody else has replied yet, I'll start this off: I don't think any of these are Song Sparrows, sorry! All Song Sparrows (as far as I know) have a distinctive brown streaking pattern on their face: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sonspa I am not familiar with all of the species pictured yet (I am new to birding myself). Possibly one or two of these is a House Finch (female/immature), but I can't say with any degree of certainty without doing more research as there are other similar looking birds. In your last photo, in particular, note the very well-defined white eyering. This might be a Vesper Sparrow, but I've never seen one and can't say for sure. The topmost bird might be a Pine Siskin - note the narrower bill. In summary, my *guesses* are (from top to bottom): Pine Siskin, House Finch, House Finch, Vesper Sparrow I'm sure by tomorrow morning you'll have more definitive answers from other good folks here! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 I agree with the first three and pass on the last. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestranger Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 I think the second photo is another Pine Siskin, the bill looks too slender for a finch. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 Siskin (L), House Finch (R) siskin Vesper 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 1 hour ago, blackburnian said: Siskin (L), House Finch (R) siskin Vesper This. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruslan Balagansky Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 Yep, looking with fresh eyes today, the second photo is definitely a Pine Siskin. The bill is somewhat open, giving the initial impression that it's more finch-like than it is. The yellow on the wing, which I couldn't discern in Night Mode yesterday, is not something a House Finch would ever have. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GracesWarbler Posted October 1 Author Share Posted October 1 Great, thanks all! I'll try to keep these details in mind for the future. (I guess this is why I like big, charismatic, colorful birds!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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