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Grosbeak, Black-headed? or Rose-breasted So. California (1 Viewer)

dancinec

Well-known member
I went searching for a reported sighting of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. However, I did not knowingly see one. I have never seed one unless these two shots are them. I didn't notice until I processed the pictures that these do look like grosbeaks. It does resemble the Black-headed with the bicolored bill (according to Sibley) but not like any of the Black-headed Grosbeaks that visit my feeders. Anyways let me know what your opinion is. Thanks in advance.
Photo one
Photo two
 
Hi Dennis,

Not grosbeaks, but female (or juvenile) House sparrows.

Best,
Jim

[EDIT: Posting at the same time as Jan].
 
Female House Sparrows for sure.

Don't feel bad this happens with them. Just when I think I know what I'm doing when it comes to sparrows, female House Sparrows in some unusual place will make me look like an idiot.
 
Female House Sparrows for sure.

Hi Gentoo,

I do not have much to go on except my Sibley's, but I was actually leaning towards juvenile (or female-type) House Sparrow of indeterminate sex. Sibley's seems to show these as having darker lores and a more strongly defined eye-line, which arguably we see here. Also, I would think an early juvenile House Sparrow (Sibley gives May through September for the plumage) might show a larger beak than an adult, and I think we might be seeing that here also.

Cordially,
Jim
 
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