![]() ![]() Bill: The triangular bill is the ideal shape for cracking seeds, and varies from a dirty yellow-gray color to solid black.It is easily visible when the birds are viewed from behind. Crown: The extent of gray on the crown varies, but generally extends to the nape.When watching a flock, look for the following clues that they are house sparrows: Seen from behind, male house sparrows show distinct colors and markings that can be useful for identification. This is particularly true at feeders where they are often considered bully birds because of their aggression while feeding. They may also join mixed flocks with house finches or other sparrow species. Flock: House sparrows are gregarious birds that are frequently found in flocks ranging from just a few birds to dozens.The tail feathers are dark with buff edging. Tail: The tail is medium-length and is typically held closed, with a relatively straight edge, though a small notch may be visible.Undertail Coverts: Like the rest of the underparts, the undertail coverts are plain, medium gray.They can have a spotted appearance, depending on the bird's posture and molt timing. Wings: The primary feathers and secondary feathers are brown with black centers.Underparts: The underparts are a plain, dull gray and may show some faint blurriness but lack distinct markings.The extent of that visibility can vary depending on the bird's posture and feather positions. Wing Bar: One fairly broad, white wing bar is visible.Some buff or gray may also show on the back. Back: The back is vertically streaked with black and a warm red-brown.On dominant older birds or in fresh spring plumage, the patch is larger and darker. On younger birds or in fresh fall plumage, the black may be much less and may show mottling. Chin, Throat, and Breast: Male house sparrows have a black patch covering the chin, throat, and breast, but the extent of black varies widely.On males, the bill color may vary from a solid black (more common in spring) to a smudgy gray-black with a dirty yellow tinge on the lower mandible (more common in fall). Bill: The bill is a blunt triangle, ideal for cracking the seeds these granivorous birds eat.Some birds have a very wide, deep crown, while others have a smaller, less distinct gray patch. Crown: The crown from the bill to the nape is gray, but the extent of the gray can vary.To identify male house sparrows, look for: ![]() However, there can be a great deal of variation among different subspecies and geographic populations, which makes learning key field marks for these birds essential for proper identification. Male house sparrows are distinctly marked. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.There is also a tan-coloured version of this sparrow. Has a white throat White-throated SparrowĪnd a yellow spot between the eye and the bill. The White-throated Sparrow is gray breasted, White-striped White-throated Sparrow In migration we see the juvenile which has a brownish head stripe. The White-crowned Sparrow has a clear grayish breast, White-crowned SparrowĪnd a puffy crown striped with black and white. Has a light crown stripe Clay-coloured SparrowĪnd a sharply outlined ear patch. The Clay-coloured Sparrow is plain-breasted, Clay-coloured Sparrow The Tree Sparrow has a solid red-brown cap, American Tree SparrowĪ dark spot on the breast American Tree SparrowĪnd the bill is dark above and yellow below. Note the black line through the eye and a white line over it. The Chipping Sparrow is a small gray-breasted sparrow. It has a whitish crown stripe and a yellowish eyebrow stripe. Despite this, I have few photos of it as I am seldom near this habitat. My grandfather told me that this is the most common farmer’s field bird in Canada. The rusty combined with gray about the neck gives the bird its foxy look. Note the band of creamy buff across the breast. The breast streaks are finer and do not aggregate into a central spot. ![]() The Lincoln’s Sparrow is similar to the Song Sparrow but the side of the face is grayer. The Field Sparrow has a clear breast, Field Sparrow The Swamp Sparrow has a reddish cap, Swamp SparrowĪnd rather reddish wings and tail. This central spot completes a triangle with the dark blotches on each side of the throat. Note the heavy breast streaks which converge into a large central spot. Instead, I had a look at my sparrow photographs over the last few years and decided to put together this guide to their identification.Įasily the most commonly seen and heard of the sparrows. With snowfall predicted all of today, I didn’t want to risk getting moisture into my camera during a walk. ![]()
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