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Bird I should probably know...

Discussion

13 replies
Posted by Bill Maile on April 4, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Bird I should probably know...
While I've been out in futility chasing around mergansers, mallards, and a GBH locally... I've come to the conclusion that I have neither the equipment nor the patience to be a good avian photog!! :(

I saw this puffy little creature out yesterday, and KNOW I should have the name but I don't. So an ID is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. I'll post later with more details.
Posted by Byron West on April 4, 2010 at 12:15 PM
That is a LBJ! All my unknown browns are of this variety. Labeling as such makes me laugh at my aging self so I don't take life too seriously.
Posted by Bill Maile on April 4, 2010 at 12:42 PM
You mean that's Lady Bird Johnson!!?? :wink:

Fox sparrow maybe?
Posted by Arne Myrabo on April 4, 2010 at 1:12 PM
I'd guess female red-winged blackbird
http://www.ohio-nature.com/image-files/redwinged-blackbird-female.jpg
Posted by Bill Maile on April 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Ahhh, now that would make more sense Arne. There are a few male RWBs hanging around the same area. Thanks!!
Posted by Drew Fulton on April 4, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Bill,

This looks like a Sparrow to me. Without a closer image I'd have to go with Song Sparrow.

Drew
Posted by Erik Van de Water on April 4, 2010 at 2:38 PM
The habitat looks more like a song sparrow, but I've seen many female rw blackbirds out recently. Where was this taken?
Posted by John Tobias on April 4, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Bill, compare your little bird to the one I posted here on 3-30 to get and ID, and see how they compare. Just a suggestion.
Posted by Nate Chappell on April 4, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Bill you need to crop this closer for us to be able to ID it. :wavey:
Posted by Richard Ditch on April 4, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Song Sparrow.
Posted by Bill Maile on April 5, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Sorry folks for adding to any confusion. Here is a much closer crop. The bird was sitting on a limb of the outer, marshy area of a lake in NE PA, a few days ago. As I've said, I've shot one or two male red-wing blackbirds there, but there is quite a variety of avian life in this little ecosystem.
Posted by Brad Hill on April 5, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Hi Bill,

Now that I've seen the larger version my money would be on it being a Song Sparrow. But what do I know - I'm from the Fauna Gallery! :wink:

Brad
Posted by Byron West on April 6, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Ha, ha. "Lady Bird Johnson" never heard that definition of LBJ. I meant, "Little Brown Job". I do agree that it looks like a song sparrow but I still would move on and not beat myself up over missing an I.D. when LBJ fits so nicely. :wink:
Posted by Bill Maile on April 6, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Thanks Brad, you know much more than I do!!

OK Byron, being naive to birding terms, I thought it was Little Brown... something. Thanks for the clear up!! :wink: