Sparrow vs cowbird? ID help (1 Viewer)

Dyanek2000

Member

• Dec 30, 2011

• #1

This little bird (sparrow sized) showed up on my deck by the feeders. It sits around most of the time, joins none of the flocks of small songbirds that are in and out, and doesn't seem to belong to any of the groups I'm used to seeing.

Being new at this, it's probably just that I haven't got a clue what I'm looking at. The pics are slightly lighter than it appears normally, to try to get marking detail.

Thanks for the help!

 

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The Falcon

Registered Birder

• Dec 30, 2011

• #2

Hi and welcome to BirdForum, Dyanek2000.

Your bird is a Brown-headed Cowbird.

 

Dyanek2000

Member

• Dec 30, 2011

• #3

Thanks so much! I'll add him to my list and e-bird.

 

LabradorDuck

Well-known member

• Dec 30, 2011

• #4

Dyanek2000 said:

Thanks so much! I'll add him to my list and e-bird.

Click to expand...

I think you mean "her." I'm not familiar with immature plumage cowbirds, but adult males have a different, much more distinctive look: black with an iridescent brown head.

 

grebefeet9

elegant tern of phrase

• Dec 30, 2011

• #5

probably an immature male. the females i've seen are lighter.