Merlin Small Species Bird Identifier suggests my picture is that of a "Song Sparrow"
Dec 3, 2020 06:23:12 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
Being new to photographing birds, I have to look up the official names of the birds in my back yard in Kansas. Merlin's closest picture that resembled the bird I photographed is the Song Sparrow. I was surprised to learn that there are 24 subspecies of the Song Sparrow. Any knowledgeable bird watchers in UHH can feel free to tell me if my identification of the species is incorrect. Who knew that birds are so interesting and each species has their own unique personality and song. I must be getting old!
Dec 3, 2020 06:40:05 #
Certainly looks like a song sparrow. They have a distinctive song that can help identify it, as far as I know, it is the longest song of any sparrow.
Dec 3, 2020 07:01:13 #
My bird ID app says house finch and if so I'm guessing female as the males have reddish colored feathers on the head.
Dec 3, 2020 07:04:23 #
Yes, definitely a Song Sparrow...a personal favorite among the early spring visitors. If you care to listen to that unique song, here is a terrific site for doing so: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow
Dec 3, 2020 07:13:56 #
JRiepe wrote:
My bird ID app says house finch and if so I'm guessing female as the males have reddish colored feathers on the head.
My bird ID app is certainly not infallible.
Dec 3, 2020 07:16:36 #
Beautiful shot of a cute bird. The only thing that would make it better ... sound!
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Dec 3, 2020 07:40:16 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
JRiepe wrote:
My bird ID app says house finch and if so I'm guessing female as the males have reddish colored feathers on the head.
I have the Readers Digest North American Bird book. It is hard to tell the difference. The book shows drawings instead of photos. Anyway, this summer I put up a couple of bird feeders , got some pics , looked in the book , they look almost identical.
Dec 3, 2020 08:00:16 #
Shooter41 wrote:
Being new to photographing birds, I have to look u... (show quote)
Good, clear photograph, but bird ID of "little brown birds" can be tough!
I put your photo into my Merlin Bird ID app and the three suggested IDs were all finches, and I tend to agree with JRiepe that it is a female House Finch.
We've had a bunch of them lately at our feeders here in KY.
Marshall
Dec 3, 2020 08:26:45 #
Shooter41 wrote:
Being new to photographing birds, I have to look u... (show quote)
Because it lacks the head stripes of the sparrow, I'll go with female house finch.
Dec 3, 2020 10:15:26 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
ELNikkor wrote:
Certainly looks like a song sparrow. They have a distinctive song that can help identify it, as far as I know, it is the longest song of any sparrow.
Dear ELNikkor...Thank you for your confirmation.
Dec 3, 2020 10:16:54 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
JRiepe wrote:
My bird ID app says house finch and if so I'm guessing female as the males have reddish colored feathers on the head.
Dear JRiepe...Thank you for your information about the female house finch.
Dec 3, 2020 10:17:42 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
Fred Harwood wrote:
Because it lacks the head stripes of the sparrow, I'll go with female house finch.
Dear Fred Harwood...Thank you for your information about the female house finch.
Dec 3, 2020 10:19:43 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
bluezzzzz wrote:
Good, clear photograph, but bird ID of "little brown birds" can be tough!
I put your photo into my Merlin Bird ID app and the three suggested IDs were all finches, and I tend to agree with JRiepe that it is a female House Finch.
We've had a bunch of them lately at our feeders here in KY.
Marshall
I put your photo into my Merlin Bird ID app and the three suggested IDs were all finches, and I tend to agree with JRiepe that it is a female House Finch.
We've had a bunch of them lately at our feeders here in KY.
Marshall
Dear bluezzzzz....Thank you for your information about the female House Finch.
Dec 3, 2020 10:21:31 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
tcthome wrote:
I have the Readers Digest North American Bird book. It is hard to tell the difference. The book shows drawings instead of photos. Anyway, this summer I put up a couple of bird feeders , got some pics , looked in the book , they look almost identical.
Dear tcthome...I agree that it is hard to tell the difference, expecially since there are 24 varieties of just the Song Sparrow. Thanks for your input.
Dec 3, 2020 10:23:14 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
Bill_de wrote:
Beautiful shot of a cute bird. The only thing that would make it better ... sound!
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Dear Bill de...I agree. I used to love to listen to the birds just after dawn on my parents farm outside Fredonia, Kansas, as a little boy.
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