[obol] Am Tree Sparrow ID

[Dennis P. Vroman]

Have seen a lot of Tree Sparrows when in the east (even a few in the west too) and tend to agree with Larry.  Tree Sparrows are "brighter" looking compared to immature White-crowns, especially.  They (Trees) most always (even the immature birds) have a bright rust-colored area near the shoulder and most always have a noticeable central breast spot (can be faint in some immature birds, however).  Also, the grays are "silver-gray," much cleaner and brighter than White-crowns.  The upper bill is generally completely dark when compared with White-crown bills too.  Saw an immature at TNC's Whetstone Savannah site once in the fall (where there is a lot of White-crowns) and when I first looked at it, knew it was not a White-crown.  This bird didn't have a strong breast spot either.

Dennis


  I want to add, that Tree Sparrows look frosty to me in comparison with others, especially with the immature White-crowned.  In Tree Sp, the rusty parts are brighter and the grays are whiter.  The crown is more distinctively solid red than in the White-cr and their underparts and sides of face are not so gray.  I think Trees stand out more in this region, as their bright plumage is more contrasty against the dark, wet, winter weeds of western Oregon.

   

  Larry

   


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  From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Ray Korpi
  Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 1:34 PM
  To: obol obol
  Subject: [obol] Am Tree Sparrow ID

   

  All,
  Lars asked about Tree Sparrow ID.  Having come from a place where there were lots, and lots fewer White-crowns in winter, I was always struck by the whitish wingbars as the first thing I would look for.  These field marks stand out for me, and they aren't seen in Zonos to any great extent.  The Tree Sparrow is also a much slighter bird.
  Ray Korpi
  Vancouver WA
  rkorpi at hotmail.com
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