Unidentified, Salt Flats in San Diego, CA, USA (3 Viewers)

[gsimonel]

I am having no luck IDing this bird. Can anyone help me? It was in some grassy brush in a salt flat in San Diego. The photos were taken on 12/23. Thanks for any help that you can offer.

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

Horned lark. The first one seems like a juvenile in the second one looks like a female.

 

[Harrybongo]

I think the 2nd pic is an immature male, and the first a female?

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

I think the 2nd pic is an immature male, and the first a female?

The 2nd pic lacks prominent eyebrows or horns, while the first bird does not have a well-defined mustachial stripe. I am just looking at a field guide, though.

 

[Harrybongo]

The 2nd pic lacks prominent eyebrows or horns, while the first bird does not have a well-defined mustachial stripe. I am just looking at a field guide, though.

Hi. Found this pic on e-bird, it says immature male....looks pretty good!

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

Hi. Found this pic on e-bird, it says immature male....looks pretty good! View attachment 1552257

After doing some more research online, I am inclined to agree with you!

 

[Harrybongo]

After doing some more research online, I am inclined to agree with you!

👍

 

[Butty]

Both photos are of the same individual. It may well be impossible to age or sex - one would need a much more detailed source than just comparing with (mis?)labelled photos on the internet.

 

[gsimonel]

I can't say for sure if they are the same individual or no, There was a small group of these birds together, and I took several photos. You can see a second lark in the background of this photo, in the upper right.

 

[Butty]

Left bird in the new photo is the same individual as in photos 1-2 (several plumage micro-features match). This bird seems likely to be a 1st-year (streaking over whole of upperparts, no pinkish-brown on nape, little black on crown). Out-of-focus bird in photo 3 seems more likely to be 2nd-year or older (more black on head). They're not sexable from these photos. (This is using info on the European form).