Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA 2 days ago (1 Viewer)

[willtexas07]

I need help confirming the identity of these birds. Thanks a ton!

 

[Tiraya]

1. lark bunting x2
2. edit: grasshopper sparrow, presumably.
3. black-throated sparrow
4. could it be chipping?
5. lark bunting

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

I concur with all, including the Chipping Sparrow and Grasshopper Sparrow.

 

[njlarsen]

Hmmm, Grasshopper Sp to me is a bird where the upper mandible and the crown is one straight line. I realize there is a subspecies in Florida with a smaller bill, but in southern Texas?

Niels

 

[willtexas07]

Thanks to everyone for their feedback!!

 

[Peter C.]

Agree with Silverwolf on all but #2, which (as Niels pointed out already) really doesn't have the utterly flat head of an Ammodramus like Grasshopper. Bill, eye-ring, and cheek stripe put me in mind of a juvenile Field Sparrow, which has some breast streaking and can show a bit of dark upper mandible. But I'm not at all familiar with the birds of South Texas, so I imagine there are other possibilities.

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

It's probably holding it's head feathers erect because it's agitated. Certainly too large-headed and chunky for Field Sparrow, and too heavy billed. Besides, young Field Sparrows would look identical to adults this time of year.

Looks fine for a Grasshopper Sparrow to me (I spent a spring and summer studying them, in Florida).