The quality of these photos is not the best as I have just taken them from my window and it is not fully light yet. These little winter sparrows, Tree Sparrows are busy and actively feeding at our feeders early, as are the Chickadees and the one Song Sparrow which seems to have chosen to overwinter with us.
One characteristic that I rely upon to identify the little Tree Sparrows is the bicoloured bill, The lower portion of which, as the photo below illustrates is yellow.
And if I don't see a bicoloured bill I then search for the dark breast spot which is characteristic of this sparrow species. This little sparrow this morning appears to have a double breast spot, but that is okay as its bill is bicoloured, so it is a Tree Sparrow. You have to look carefully when you are id'ing
sparrows especially when both Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows are at your feeders as the Song Sparrow also has a dark center breast spot.
Look carefully at these two Tree Sparrow photos above and you can see the yellow portion of the bill, so it is a Tree Sparrow despite its double breast spot!
Have a wonderful day everyone!!
I wish I had tree sparrows visiting my feeders, lucky you! They are cute birds. Great post and info.. Thank you so much for sharing your post with my critter party.. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeletethey are cute little things. thanks for the tips on the bill and breast spot. i don't think i've seen them here. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely little birds. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I hope to get some pics of tree sparrows this coming year.
ReplyDelete~
This is nice and informative post, Thanks to post.
ReplyDeleteBosnia-Herzegovina