Merlin's Prey (Northern Virginia, Jan. 6, 2020) (1 Viewer)

[howiewu]

Hi,

I saw this Merlin eating a small bird today (Jan. 6, 2020) in Northern Virginia, US.

I can't quite make out what this small bird is. The second picture is cropped and has exposure boosted to show more details. It seems to be a sparrow of some kind? This location has the typical U.S. Mid-Atlantic birds -- White-throated Sparrows, House Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, etc.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Howard

 

[The Bird Nuts]

It's a male House Sparrow.

 

[RafaelMatias]

It's a male House Sparrow.

That's what I recon as well.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Yes, male House sparrow

 

[Microtus]

I agree, male House Sparrow.

 

[howiewu]

That's what I thought at first based on the coloration. Good deed!

 

[Birdbrain22]

That's what I thought at first based on the coloration. Good deed!

Yea... hope it went back for more.