(Now is the time of year to actually study flocks of Canada's...you might get a nice surprise, like a Cackling Goose or Snow Goose)
I parked in the cemetery and took lots of pictures.
The new car hasn't been filled with all of my field guides yet, so I had to wait until I got home to check on this bird.
I was hoping it was a Greater White-Fronted Goose.
Sibley says it is a Canada Goose X Greater White-Fronted Goose hybrid.
Dammit.
I don't remember the page number...look up "Greater White-Fronted Goose". There are some hybrid illustrations.
Still a cute bird. A nice blend of the two species...a white chin strap, but pink/orange feet. Basically the same body structure, but a really thick neck.
Is this a big deal? Or are they very common? Is this worth noting to anyone?
At home, the first Northern migrant showed up today:
(I had sworn off sparrow ID's, but now that I know juvenile chipping sparrows, I can be sure of a few things)
A young white-crowned sparrow was kick-scratching in the mulch, and I looked at it long and hard before deciding what it was:
Why is it a white-crowned? Pink/orange bill, dark eyeline, pale cheeks, no central breast spot, brown stripes on the head, white wing bars, and the same size as a House Sparrow (thanks again to Sibley). I don't know if I have ever seen a first year WCSP. Maybe I just blurred over them, thinking they were HOSP.
6 comments:
Juv. white-crowneds had me stymied for a while, too, Susan. My Peterson's guide showed the colors quite different from what I was seeing in real life (Of course, my field guide is so old that the ink has probably faded!) and everyone I asked about them just waved me off with "Oh, I'm no good at sparrows."
I finally pegged the ID based on behavior. I noticed that these guys acted a lot like the WC sparrows I was as familiar with.
Now that you have recognized one, you will probably see them all over.
~Kathi
Definitely a WC Sparrow. For me the shape and size stand out more than the plumage characteristics.
A pretty sparrow? Is that the right answer?
;-)
I was thinking field sparrow.
(g)
Canada's often hybridize with domestic Greylags. There is usually one odd bird in New Richmond every year with the domestics in winter. See http://www.gobirding.eu/Photos/HybridGeese.php
Yes, it is a WCSP ;-)
I love WCSPs!
Once saw a pair of WESTERN KINGBIRDS chasing a REDTAIL HAWK Its just amazing how fearless these little birds can be
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