Unknown songster - California (1 Viewer)

R

Robin Edwards

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2009

• #1

This one is more of a long shot as bird was comparatively distant and not ideal for photography to say the least.

The bird was sat up singing from the salt marshes at Playa del Rey, LA and to my ear being a Brit, sounded just like a Corn Bunting with a jangle not unlike a shaking of keys.

I don't have a Western Sibley guide to hand so thought I'd offer up the challenge. The second image suggests a a long bill suggesting something like Dickcissel which I'm not familiar with by the way.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Robin

 

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J

j0hnguy

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2009

• #2

I detect a breast spot in the first picture that suggests song sparrow. Hard to be sure from these though.

 

lmans66

Out Birding....

Supporter

• Jul 3, 2009

• #3

From the distant photos and the location, where it is sitting etc...I would also agree...song sparrow. Real abundant in the US and real obvious the spot on chest as John stated...

 

C

cavan wood

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2009

• #4

Posture, streaking, breast spot, song description, tail length, habitat, all look reasonable for song sparrow, but yeah it's hard to say for sure.
Scott

 

R

Robin Edwards

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2009

• #5

Thanks guys - as said a long shot with the images here.

I agree that Song Sparrows is the commonest sparrow likely at this spot but I questioned my initial diagnosis when a local patch-birder present yesterday declared that the song I was hearing was not song sparrow ??

Can anyone point me at a url where I can familiarise myself with the song ?

many thanks
Robin

 

C

cavan wood

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2009

• #6

Robin Edwards said:

Can anyone point me at a url where I can familiarise myself with the song ?

many thanks
Robin

Click to expand...

http://sibley.enature.com/species.a...=1&Srch=yes&searchStr=song+sparrow&xLoc=&yLoc=

 

Wiktoria

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2009

• #7

Here you are !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLsnGVnRPZI
http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=14
http://www.naturesongs.com/paruicte.html#sosp

Added:
cavan wood, was faster

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 3, 2009

• #8

http://macaulaylibrary.org/index.do

Niels

 

R

Robin Edwards

Well-known member

• Jul 4, 2009

• #9

Thanks all for your excllent responses

Robin