Those confusing fall feathers! (1 Viewer)

Yesterday morning under the feeders i had a first-year White-crowned Sparrrow. Of course, the ONLY reason i know that is because i looked it up in my big Sibley's guide! I probably never would've figured it out without it. We don't get many White-crowneds; they usually just pass through in spring and fall.

Before yesterday, i didn't realize the first-year sparrows could look so different from the adults. I guess that's why the Sibley's is so big. Boy, am i glad it is! I've solved other bird i.d. mysteries the same way. Are there "exhaustive" guides for the birds on other continents?

Off to work now...

I know what you mean, Sylvia. I had this same problem this week when a female American goldfinch showed up....in winter plumage that I've never seen before. I normally only ever see them in full summer colors so she had me stumped for a little while!

Sibley is pretty good for juveniles and first years, but typically I leaf thru 3 books, Sibley East version did not have all of them.

Once I have a good idea, I often put the bird name and juvenile into Google, and have found good pictures. Putting that juvenile or first year into the search cuts down the hits quite a bit.