This was taken in one of the camping areas just south of the town of Jasper in Jasper National Park in Canada. There were three of these little guys close to the ground in a spruce tree. I have pondered over them and what I am leaning toward at this time if juvie White-crown Sparrow. Some of you are much better birders then I am and I would appreciate the help.
Posted by Luke Ormand on August 27, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Looks to me like a juvenile Brown-Headed Cowbird
Posted by Jim DeWitt on August 27, 2010 at 7:53 PM
I agree with Luke. Probably a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. Definitely not a White-crowned.
Posted by Brian Gatlin on August 27, 2010 at 10:43 PM
this doesn't look like a cowbird to me. the overall shape and size, and especially the shape and color of the bill, along with the brown tones on wings and back and gray elsewhere would all add up to make me pretty confident about calling this a Dark-eyed Junco.
It would also be unusual (but not impossible) for 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds to fledge from the same nest and be hanging out together.
Posted by Richard Ditch on August 28, 2010 at 1:08 AM
I'm with Brian. The bill is too small and shaped wrong for cowbird. The bill is definitely more sparrow like, so I could believe it is a junco (something I've never seen at this stage).
Posted by Mia McPherson on August 28, 2010 at 8:41 AM
I'm with Brian and Rich, I looked at some of my juvie cowbird images and the bills are different, the coloring is too. Not sure what it is though
Posted by Jim DeWitt on August 28, 2010 at 2:11 PM
I've got a yard full of juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos right now. I recognize that it's a variable species ("a nightmare for taxonomists," according to BNA), but Richard's photos look nothing like the juvie Slate-colored Junco. I won't insist on a juvie Cowbird, but I can't agree with a Junco, either. An easy test: does it show white outer tail feathers in flight?
I don't feel so bad. I appreciate all the input so far. Birds at this stage sometimes drive me crazy.
Posted by Brian Gatlin on August 28, 2010 at 4:18 PM
don't think it would be slate-colored up there, I was there (Jasper, Banff) over the summer and saw Oregon or Cassiar types (although I think all immature juncos are pretty similar). Anyway, compare these with Dennis Plank's excellent shot of a young junco here:
Discussion
12 repliesIt would also be unusual (but not impossible) for 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds to fledge from the same nest and be hanging out together.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=154190&CGISESSID=66cfeea1a5fc9ca6bd080154dcf5d787&u=15716