[hbreder]

I was observing, and taking photos of, a mixed flock of snow buntings and horned larks feeding along a roadside. In one of the photos I found this bird which does not fit into either species. It's not a Lapland Longspur either. I didn't find any other views of this bird among the photos.

[KenM]

1st winter Horned Lark.

cheers

[markieobrien]

Originally Posted by KenM

1st winter Horned Lark.

cheers

H. Lark for sure.

[hbreder]

Thanks. The tail looks somewhat different from the illustrations I have seen but I guess you are right.

[Mark.Cranford]

Maybe it's time to crack open Sibley - he shows birds in flight. Greater coverts sure look like a Lapland Longspur

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by Mark.Cranford

Maybe it's time to crack open Sibley - he shows birds in flight. Greater coverts sure look like a Lapland Longspur

Was thinking the same thing. Don't have my Sibley at the moment either. Subject bird doesn't look much like this photo of a HOLA from the same angle: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...w=1680&bih=889

Strong rufous on rump in subject bird is also absent. Tail also looks short for a HOLA.

Best,
Jim

[markieobrien]

google images: "horned lark flying" yeilds:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/auburnnewyork/4396911676/

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by markieobrien

google images: "horned lark flying" yeilds:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/auburnnewyork/4396911676/

Well that's certiainly a better fit. Lots of variation among HOLA's.

[jaco]

Originally Posted by J. Moore

Strong rufous on rump in subject bird is also absent.

The rufous on the rump appears to be variable, according to Sibley.

Also note the tail of this bird. Not a chance that it's a longspur with that tail.

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by jaco

The rufous on the rump appears to be variable, according to Sibley.

Yep. Photos already posted show the variability, as noted above.

[james holdsworth]

Nice photo of a view of HOLA that I can't say I have ever seen. Shows you that even the most common birds can still surprise...

[jaco]

Originally Posted by J. Moore

Yep. Photos already posted show the variability, as noted above.

Nope. The photo already posted shows an individual. My point was that Sibley makes note of the geographic variability. Thanks, though.

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by jaco

Nope. The photo already posted shows an individual. My point was that Sibley makes note of the geographic variability. Thanks, though.

This thread contains links to three photos of HOLAs. The OP's and the last in post 7 show rufous rumps, and the one I linked to in post 6 shows none. Hence, my remark in post 8, prior to your first post: "Lots of variation in HOLAs".

Best,
Jim

[markieobrien]

Originally Posted by jaco

Nope. The photo already posted shows an individual. My point was that Sibley makes note of the geographic variability. Thanks, though.

Not too worry Jaco, some of us have been around the block a few times and comprehend English.

[J. Moore]

Finally had a chance to consult my references. Sibley suggests HOLA's with strong rufous coloration are found on the west coast. Perhaps the OP's bird is a vagrant subspecies. Just guessing, but would explain why it looked different from others in the flock to OP (and why it looks unusual to several of us eastern birders here).

Best,
Jim

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by markieobrien

Not too worry Jaco, some of us have been around the block a few times and comprehend English.

Huh? No one here is not comprehending English. You made some good contributions to this thread, but then you had to spoil things with a nonsensical cheap shot. I think you'll find that behavior is not appreciated on these threads, or this forum.

[james holdsworth]

Originally Posted by markieobrien

Not too worry Jaco, some of us have been around the block a few times and comprehend English.

No need to turn this into something personal, mate, it's just a bird ID.

[markieobrien]

Originally Posted by james holdsworth

No need to turn this into something personal, mate, it's just a bird ID.

This thread contains links to three photos of HOLAs. The OP's and the last in post 7 show rufous rumps, and the one I linked to in post 6 shows none. Hence, my remark in post 8, prior to your first post: "Lots of variation in HOLAs".

Best,
Jim
the above is the cheap shot. screws up an ID and whines about it.
Have a nice day, xo

[hbreder]

Here are two birds from the same flock showing different rump coloration. I took those photos today as the birds were sitting on a snow bank sunning themselves.

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by hbreder

Here are two birds from the same flock showing different rump coloration. I took those photos today as the birds were sitting on a snow bank sunning themselves.

Thanks Hilke! Nice comparison shots.

Cheers,
Jim

[hbreder]

I think the left one is a male with the rufous rump and yellow facial markings. The right one is a female with pale facial markings and minimal if any red on the rump.

[markieobrien]

Originally Posted by hbreder

I think the left one is a male with the rufous rump and yellow facial markings. The right one is a female with pale facial markings and minimal if any red on the rump.

If the second bird was in the sunlight like the first the "vinaceous cinnamon " rump would be more evident. (Vinaceous, a nice word to have in your vernaculum.)

Regardless, by now Hilke, you are more than likely aware that in your neck of the woods, most if not all Horned Larks you would encounter at this time of year are Eremophila alpestris alpestris. So individual variablity becomes an issue of age and sexual dimorphism. High variability is reduced to nonsense in a ssp sense. One that does not require rushing home to consult my Sibley's.

The bird in your first pic, presents a view that one would see only momentarily upon landing. So most folks would say, "what the heck is that". But just cus it's momentarily doesn't make it abnormal.

Suffice it to say. all Eremophila alpestris alpestris, have cinnamon rumps. Just remember: that feathers often wear to reveal increased color intensity and just cus you can't see very far into the ultraviolet doesn't mean that what you see as a ubiquitous hue isn't rainbow to a birdie. Peace bro.

[fugl]

Originally Posted by markieobrien

(Vinaceous, a nice word to have in your vernaculum.).

“Vernaculum” is an even nicer one. What is it, unadulterated Latin (I can’t find it in any of my dictionaries)?

[I agree entirely with the substance of your post, BTW]

[markieobrien]

Originally Posted by fugl

“Vernaculum” is an even nicer one. What is it, unadulterated Latin (I can’t find it in any of my dictionaries)?

[I agree entirely with the substance of your post, BTW]

Vernaculum: first cousin once removed from vocabularium.

[fugl]

Originally Posted by markieobrien

Vernaculum: first cousin once removed from vocabularium.

Ah, just as I thought.