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Thread: Saltmarsh or Juvi Seaside

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    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
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    Default Saltmarsh or Juvi Seaside

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    A photo from my recent trip to Brunswick, GA. Last week.

    I know its a ammodramus but not sure which one.

    Some of you East Coasters will recognize this bird.

    I am leaning towards Juvenile Seaside Sparrow but the bill and back pattern make me dubious.

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    I'll give this a swing without having my references at hand, but I'll warn you that I haven't looked at this problem for a while.

    It doesn't look like a Saltmarsh to me. I believe a young Saltmarsh at this time of year would be lighter and brighter, normally with a more patterned head, and finer and sharper streaking. If it was to fall anyplace in the non-Seaside lineup, I'd figure it would be the dull subvirgatus race of Nelson's.

    The bird is very gray, has really indistinct face markings, the throat appears to be white, and the bill looks freakin' massive. I think all this fits pretty well for Seaside Sparrow. I don't think the amount of color in the face or the back pattern are bad for an immature Seaside either.

    FYI, I believe that sparrows normally molt out of their juvenile plumage in a matter of 6-8 weeks or so. For example the young Chippings you see in the fall are first-winter. The juvenile birds are actually very covered in fine, dark streaks and look really different than they do in fall migration. So this bird would be either first-winter or an adult. Juvenile plumage should be molted out by sparrows at this point.

  3. #3
    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
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    Thanks Paul...very appreciated, this was a tough call.

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