To: "Hal Opperman" <hal at catharus.net>
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: [TWEETERS] Fox Sparrow


> Thanks Hal,
> We have had Hermit Thrushes here in the past and they are larger, but
> similar in markings. This is definately a sparrow with the shorter
legs,
> tail and bill, but I had difficutly identifying which one. This bird is
very
> dark brown with a gray head (no stripes on the head) and not as much
white
> on the breast as a Hermit Thrush. Occasionally he comes up to the feeder
> which I do not think a thrush would do. At least the photo I have is
closer
> in the Audubon field guide to a Fox Sparrow.
> Nancy
> Renton, WA.
> n.lander at comcast.net
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Hal Opperman" <hal at catharus.net>
> To: <n.lander at comcast.net>
> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 1:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [TWEETERS] Fox Sparrow
>
>
> > Nancy:
> >
> > Did you also consider Hermit Thrush? Your description, including
> behavior,
> > might work for that species. The bill would be narrower than that of
a
> Fox
> > Sparrow, and the tail would be redder than the back.
> >
> > Hal Opperman
> >
> >
> > On 3/15/04 1:32 PM, "Nancy" <n.lander at comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Tweets;
> > > We have what I am pretty sure is a FOX SPARROW coming around our
> feeder. I
> > > had a very difficult time identifying him because he does not look
> like most
> > > of the photos in my field guides. But The Audubon field guide has
a
> very
> > > close photo. I read that they are somewhat rare in King County.
His
> behavior
> > > is very timid and he runs under the bushes whenever I come out for
a
> closer
> > > look. He does not appear to have a mate, but I am not sure. This
> morning I
> > > found him digging in the garden and got a close look with my
> binoculors. He
> > > digs with both feet like a thrush. He has a white eye ring, is
dark
> brown
> > > with a gray head and no stripe on his head. His breast is
streaked
> but muted.
> > > So, I gather he is the Northwest variety of this bird since the
other
> photos
> > > in Petersons and Stokes do not look like the same bird.
> > > Nancy
> > > Renton, WA
> > > n.lander at comcast.net
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>