Bird ID help please

[Wildwoman]

I live in Western Michigan and spotted this guy a couple of weeks ago. Searched my books, but can't id him. Any thoughts?

[pinsonp2]

I believe (hard to tell from picture) it is a juvenile European Starling just getting its adult plummage. Did it have black and white spots on thighs and stomach (look like boxer shorts to me)? The Kaufman book shows this plummage.

[Larry Lade]

To me it looks like a molting, juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. Something like here (http://www.pbase.com/joe_tn/image/48499681)

Sibley shows this plumage in his big field guide on page 510 if you have opportunity to look at this bird field guide.

[Larry Lade]

Any one else have an opinion?

[danehower]

completely agree with Larry - juvie Brown-headed Cowbird !
ps - sorry for the bold type , it was accidental

[MLoyko]

I'm Larry and Dave,

Instantly thought Juv Brown-headed Cowbird!

-Matt

[J. Moore]

Agree with juvenile male Brown-headed Cowbird molting into adult plumage. Tail is too long, and bill too short, for European starling.

Best,
Jim

[jrwilton]

I agree with the others - believe it's a molting Juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. I wonder what kind of songbird it calls momma....

[MLoyko]

I agree with the others - believe it's a molting Juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. I wonder what kind of songbird it calls momma....

Just like we don't know how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie-Roll pop.....the world may never know who it calls momma! :t:

-Matt

[Wildwoman]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Don't have the Sibley guide. Guess I need to make another trip to the bookstore!

[Fozzybear]

There certainly are similarities with starlings, but yes it does look different. If it's of interest for reference, this is a moulting juvenile starling in my garden - at this stage they have the strong spotting that the adults show, which is quite distinctive.

The song of the starling is pretty easy to identify too, lots of whistles and churring and chortling!