Hi Folks,

Excellent shots of both birds and both are identified correctly, the first is an Amercian Tree Sparrow, the second a House Sparrow. The House sparrow and English sparrow are the same bird, a matter of common use name......House sparrow applied to North American populations, the English sparrow applied to European populations. Depending on what reference guide is used to identify, it can be referred to as either of both. As an interesting side point on the House Sparrow, since it is localized and does not migrate, with local populations not integrating with other populations, there is a lot a variation that has developed since first brought to North American, this has evolved into variations in morphology and has given arise to the potential of multiple sub- in North American. Joer's House sparrow would have have subtle differences if compared side to side with one from the East coast or West coast, it has a different look to it that what I see on the coast of NJ, but all the major ID characteristics remain. Where the great competitive advantage of the House Sparrow in North American was its ability to thrive in densely populated urban areas, recent studies have shown these urban populations are starting to decrease due to the levels of toxicity exposure present in these urban areas. Its greatest competitive advantage may be starting to swing towards disadvantage over time.

As to the first sparrow, it is not a Field sparrow, it is a Tree Sparrow. Field sparrows have a solid-colored pink bill. The tree sparrow has a multi-colored bill, dark over yellow. Second feature is the wing bars.........Field sparrow usually shows a less distinction on that bottom wing bar, in a Tree sparrow its very distinctive. Mantle plumage also differs and a dark chest spot is not present on an adult male Field sparrow.

Just offering some information and some ID features to help understand an appreciate these two fine photos of sparrows.

With My Best