Post by Gord on Dec 27, 2008 23:20:56 GMT -8
This afternoon at my parents in Greendale and a little birthday party for the nephew I noticed a bird that caught my eye during the singing of "Happy Birthday". My first glance passed it by as a female House Sparrow with the several others nearby but on the double take I saw something different more streaky and 'off' for a female House Sparrow. A female Dickcissel, a first winter female as shown in Sibleys, comes to mind.
As these things go, the birds all flew like they seem to do every few minutes when feeding and before I could have any kind of detailed look. I watched for a little while but I did not see this bird again (to my knowledge) nor did many of the House Sparrows return. I mention this as my readings after the fact show that Dickcissels, which would be very rare here, often like to hang out with House Sparrows. At the time though, I wouldnt have said this bird was associating with any particular bird or flock, but at a feeder this isnt always evident.
I have instructed my parents to pay close attention to the feeders with camera ready. No offense to them in any way, but Im not sure they would have noticed such a bird and it's been over a week since I last watched their feeders and even then, it was never for a length of time. So, if this is indeed what I hope it is, it might have been coming for a while.
Right now Im not putting this bird down as anything as I need a better and more positive look for such a rare bird that I have never seen before or have any experience with. I hesitate to post this even.
Ill be checking as much as I can tomorrow and will keep everyone posted.
As a sidenote, the White-throated Sparrow continues at their feeder.
As these things go, the birds all flew like they seem to do every few minutes when feeding and before I could have any kind of detailed look. I watched for a little while but I did not see this bird again (to my knowledge) nor did many of the House Sparrows return. I mention this as my readings after the fact show that Dickcissels, which would be very rare here, often like to hang out with House Sparrows. At the time though, I wouldnt have said this bird was associating with any particular bird or flock, but at a feeder this isnt always evident.
I have instructed my parents to pay close attention to the feeders with camera ready. No offense to them in any way, but Im not sure they would have noticed such a bird and it's been over a week since I last watched their feeders and even then, it was never for a length of time. So, if this is indeed what I hope it is, it might have been coming for a while.
Right now Im not putting this bird down as anything as I need a better and more positive look for such a rare bird that I have never seen before or have any experience with. I hesitate to post this even.
Ill be checking as much as I can tomorrow and will keep everyone posted.
As a sidenote, the White-throated Sparrow continues at their feeder.