Need help with bird Identification

[Bulldog1]

I caught a pair of these birds today. I let them go because I was not sure. Thanks in advance for the help.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g80/hadams1/1Bird.jpg

[James Rieman]

Northern Junco, or Slate-colored Junco, or Dark-eyed Junco. Its name has changed so much recently it is hard for me to keep up with its current name. A protected native species.

[Doug Martin - PA]

I don't think it is a Junco as these are known as snowbirds.

I have not seen any Juncos move south this winter due to the mild winter.

You did not state what type of trap (nest or food) but my guess is food trap and "field sparrow". It is hard to tell as many indentifying parts are not visible in the photo.

Poor guys are commonly trapped and mistaken for a female house sparrow. Which it could be if it was caught in a nest trap.

That is my guess.

[Chriscreole]

looks just like a young North American Junco heres a pic of an older one and a link to compare.



http://www.oceanwanderers.com/JuncoID2.html

[Ed Pace]

I would agree with Doug , except I think it "is" a imature female house sparrow. Doug is right, its only a guess with only one pic. A junco is a purer white below the breast.
Ed

[Chriscreole]

IMOP, It's not a Female HOSP I catch about 15 a week here in a blains repeating trap and thats no HOSP. A Female HOSP has light grey stripe behind eye - follow link: if i caught bulldog1's bird I'd let it go it doesn't look close enough to a HOSP for me.

http://www.sialis.org/otherbrownbirds.htm

[Bulldog1]

Using cracked corn for bait. When in doubt I release. Surprisingly I have not caught a sparrow this winter, although to be honest with all the rain I have not had the trap out much.

[James Rieman]

With all due respect, it is absolutely NOT female House Sparrow. Bulldog1 you did the right thing to release it! Virtually all of Mississippi is within the winter range for Dark-eyed Junco. This is a Dark-eyed Junco.

Here is another photo http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/ ... unco_6.htm

here is the winter range http://sdakotabirds.com/species/maps/da ... co_map.htm

Bulldog1 you are right to never kill a bird unless you are 100% positive of its ID.

[Doug Martin - PA]

I am with you James, the dark eyed junco photo you show sure is close. hmm

The juncos I am used to seeing at my feeders is much darker grey-black with a snow while belly. They will eat cracked corn however.

I guess there is no way to know for sure I would still maybe lean toward it being a field sparrow. If you google photos of them they almost match perfectly. They tend to go in food traps all the time up here. Don't think it is likely a young HS as they mature fast and have not nested yet.

Hard to tell for sure. Bulldog was right to release it. I agree there.

Hey Bulldog just remember there is a saying that "a bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush".

Meaning

It's better to have a small real advantage than the possibility of a greater one.

Origin

This proverb refers back to mediaeval falconry where a bird in the hand (the falcon) was a valuable asset and certainly worth more than two in the bush. (The prey)

[Chriscreole]

Hey what am I...chopped liver? I was pretty close there too, so yours has a lil bit darker eyes...mine picture looked cute er lol

[Louise Chambers]

Good opportunity for all of us to brush up on our bird ID skills - I'd certainly call this a junco, good call on bulldog's part to release it since he was not certain of ID. Juncos can vary quite a bit, as James said - take a look in a field guide.

Field Sparrows have a distinctive white eye-ring, a pale face, and a reddish crown. They are winter visitors here in s. TX, but stay year round in some parts of the country.

We went birding today with some friends from MN and enjoyed seeing a robin and some eastern bluebirds - none of which are common around here, and a spotted towhee, plus a gorgeous dark morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk.

Now it's time to watch our two martins come in

[GeneP]

Juncos get the name of snow bird because people see it under their feeders in winter and it's easy to see in the snow. It has nothing to do with how it looks. I think all are referred to as Dark-eyed Juncos now. Of course that's subject to change.

[TX Rehabber]

I agree with Louise....Everyone needs to purchase a good field guide to identify birds. Stokes Field Guide is an excellent one and it's what we use at the Rehab Center.

Ther are four different varies of Juncos that differ geographically:

"Slate-colored"
"Pink-sided"
Oregon
"Grey-headed"

Bulldog what you're trapping is the "Slate-colored" and all are protected species.

[shiner]

It is a junco. Not a sparrow Please release it!!

[GeneP]

Just to throw a little gasoline on the fire, Juncos are sparrows.

Of course they're the good guys. lol

[Guest]

You caught a Dark-eyed Junco. No doubt about it. Glad you let it go. I get them here in SW Georgia all winter long.

[Guest]

You caught a Dark-eyed Junco. No doubt about it. Glad you let it go. I get them here in SW Georgia all winter long.