foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

I just ran across this photo that I evidently took in March 2013... and now I don't know what type of bird this is. The location would be St. Louis, MO. I paged through a bird book, but didn't see this guy. I know it will be something really common, but I'm at a loss. Thanks for any help!

(Download)

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

We call them LBB's. Little brown birds. I am sure someone will help you with the ID. I have no idea what it is but nice photo!

akretiree Loc: Anchorage

It's Red-winged Blackbird.

foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Thanks Katydid - We have LBB's here in St. Louis, too. I take lots of bird photos but usually can't say if an LBB is a finch, sparrow, bunting or whatever. I rely on books and guides, but am losing on this bird. - John

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I love Katydid's very accurate description. I know absolutely that it is in the sparrow family and I believe it is a White Crowned Sparrow. Check your bird book to see if I remember it. I have seen one for about forty years.

foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Thank you akretiree! That's a good ID. - J

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

akretiree is correct and I am wrong. The size of this bird in real life will be larger than a sparrow. It looks similar to what I remember the female White Crowned Sparrow to be, but I was able to find some reliable on-line photos and agree with akretiree's I'D. Good job akretiree and thank you too.

foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Thanks wdross. I took a look at a bunch of White Crowned Sparrow photos, but none are a good match. We won't quibble that my photo shows neither a black bird nor a red wing, but I'm sure akretiree nailed it with Red Wing Blackbird. - J

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Excellent capture. Sharp, good color and a pleasing background!

foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Thanks Cwilson341. I don't remember much about that bird, but it looks like it was sitting on my deck and there was snow on the ground.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

Female Red Wing Black Bird, I think, I had one come around my feeder a few years ago.

MJKilpatrick Loc: Cape May, NJ

Hellow foehner ,

Yes it is a female red-winged blackbird as others have identified for you. But I thought I would offer some ID characteristics that might help you in the future and offer them from someone who has many times had to take a second and third look at a female red-winged blackbird. The most defining difference between the red-winged blackbird and a sparrow is the size and the bill. The blackbird is a bigger, longer looking bird and visually will look a bit more extended than a sparrow. The bill of the blackbird is the key as we do not have any sparrows that have that longer bill that ends a fine tip like the blackbird. Were plumage can vary greatly in individuals across all the sparrows and the red-winged blackbirds there are two aspects of plumage that will lean one to the blackbird over the sparrow. The first is that orange color around the bill and throat........this is very typical of a female red-winged blackbird. The second is the dark hatching that leads from the throat and is consistent through the stomach, sides all the way back to the tail. We only have two sparrows that may show this type of heavy dark on gray hatching to this degree. One is a dark northern subspecies of the Savannah (but its hatching usually looks dark on white and not gray) and the other is the dusky seaside sparrow (very limited range in Florida and very few left) but neither have the larger size bill, the larger body size nor that orange around the front the bill or the throat. Seeing a dusky seaside sparrow would be a real gift. Other sparrows may show dark hatching ,especially juveniles, but it usually looks dark on white versus that dark on gray look you see in your photo. So, if you see that heavy dark on gray hatching that is continual down the front of the bird to lower tail, a longer pointed bill, and that orange near the bill and throat (and not continued in other parts of the head like a Nelson's sparrow or Salt marsh sparrow) then think red-winged blackbird.

I have had to look at birds just like your photo many times and stop and think about them....it is a bird that makes you often look twice....sometimes have to stare at it for a bit............especially if you do not seen them often or one just shows up alone unexpected.

With My Best

foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Thank you MJKilpatrick! Great info. I love getting bird ID tips, although I don't improve very fast. But I'm sure I'm going to think of RWB when I see a different LBB next time. The males are fun to watch when they come to our feeders and I enjoy hearing their whistle/song.

Thanks again - John

foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Thanks Jerry G! I've grown a bit more fond of this bird over the last 2 days and hope to see one at my feeders again soon. - John

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

It is a female red wing black bird