Two unknown Swallows (1 Viewer)

[thirtyguitars]

Howdy

Ever try to get a picture of a swallow in flight? It's a great way to spend a morning, if you like exercising futility and what not.

However, I did nail a shot of this swallow. Question is, can you ID it from the back feathers alone. I'm thinking Northern Rough-Wing due to the all brown feathers. I remember the underside being plain.

In picture two, the Tree Swallow and Cliff Swallow are apparent. However, the cute little brown and white one - is it a Bank Swallow?

Thanks.

PS, photographed in Dalhart Texas this past spring

 

[Kratter]

1) Northern Rough-winged Swallow
2) both ?? are Bank Swallows

Andy

 

[Peter C.]

Agree, both smaller birds in photo #2 are R. riparia. (Aka Sand Martin).

 

[thirtyguitars]

Thank you.

 

[stonechat1]

I can´t find the Tree Sparrow in the 2nd photo, Aaron ;-)

 

[Peter C.]

I can´t find the Tree Sparrow in the 2nd photo, Aaron ;-)

Cripes, I didn't notice that! Some 'observer' I am |^| (in my defence, I was paying more attention to the birds, and not so much to the labels.)

Yes, that would be the bluest, longest-winged 'sparrow' ever to take wing...

 

[thirtyguitars]

Yah, I can't believe I spotted the only Tree 'Sparrow' ever documented! Lucky me

The typos were flying yesterday. I edited my original post about 5 times, and the title is still wrong on the forum page. Oh well.

 

[delia todd]

Hi ThirtyG.... I've edited your thread title for you now.

Only a Moderator can change the title of a thread - just get in touch with one of us.

 

[Gretchen]

I'm glad to see that it wasn't just my reading - I was puzzled about why they were swallows when I was expecting sparrows. :-O But actually, I wanted to say it's a nice picture to have 3 kinds of swallows in one shot - can't say I've seen that much.

 

[thirtyguitars]

Delia - thank you for fixing the title. I appreciate it.

Gretchen - I only caught these swallows once lounging on the fence. I had to sneak up on them, but managed to get several good photos before they decided to fly off. After that, they were always busy flying around like... uh, well, swallows, and I rarely got a good photo again throughout the summer.

 

[stonechat1]

Yah, I can't believe I spotted the only Tree 'Sparrow' ever documented! Lucky me
[...]

The Tree Sparrow isn´t uncommon, at least in Europe, but the Cliff Sparrow in the pic is a unique documentation

 

[thirtyguitars]

The Tree Sparrow isn´t uncommon, at least in Europe, but the Cliff Sparrow in the pic is a unique documentation

Like I always say, if you can't find a rare bird, make one up. Anyone see my photo of the crested eagle?