Sparrow ID assist?
I captured this guy over the weekend in a salt marsh in East Hampton, Long Island. My guess is that it's a Saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow but the light markings over the eye do not completely encircle the eye as it appears in the field guide. Am I on the right track?
40D, 1/2000s f/5.6, 400mm, ISO 640
Hi Beth- Although this is entirely based on field guides (Sibley), and not on personal experience, I think you are on the right track. This looks like a young bird to me- note the fleshy bits in the corner of the mouth. The head is flat and this feature and the head markings nicely fit Sibley's drawing of a Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow.
Thanks, John! If we're correct, this'll be a lifer for me!
I neglected to mention that this bird (and others like it) were extremely skittish and flew away any time I ventured near them. They had a fairly labored flight (lots of flapping like bobolinks) and would hide down in the grass. This was the only halfway decent image I got.
Very well done Beth! Laboured flight is consistent with a just-fledged young one.
You might consider Seaside Sparrow. The overall grayish wash and large bill suggest this option to me.
Unless Sibley has the Seaside Sparrow (p. 489) horribly wrong, I can't see it Declan. However, definitely worth pursuing. Both are described as having long bills. A commonality in Sibley's paintings of the Seaside Sparrow is darkish grey above and behind the eye, in all ages and variants. Beth's bird is definitely buffy there. The white streaks on the back of Beth's bird are quite distinct, suggesting Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow. And again, Sibley mentions the flat head of the Saltmarsh SSS, which Beth's bird has in spades.
Do you have any more images Beth?
I'm with John on this one, Seaside is much darker with grayer and darked head mask.
The other possibility is Nelson's but it would be out of place this time and I think I
see sharp line streaking on the flanks and breast on this bird which is typical for Saltmarsh.
The face is very grayish pale though which makes thing difficult for ID.
Tell me about being skittish, I've been chasing these guys to take a decent photo quite a while this summer.:(Originally Posted by Beth Goffe
Also did you notice how short and pointy was the tail? If yes it is another point for a Saltmarsh, (used to be called Sharp-tailed)
Saltmarsh, for sure. Good job getting a lifer, Beth. These are beautiful sparrows, and your location was perfect for finding one. Cuposogue County Park (Dune Road, west end) is another, I saw one there on Saturday. Note that I said "saw", not "photographed"!!
I thought it might have been a Seaside also but ruled it out for the reasons that John listed. I only have images of the backside and it's below. Unfortunately, its tail is obscured by the vegetation.
Grace, thanks! I wish the traffic wasn't so awful in the Hamptons. I might have considered going to Cupsogue but I didn't relish the traffic on Rt. 27. Ugh!
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