ID Please

[Diane Miller]

Taken today, north of Santa Rosa, CA -- about 60 mi NW of San Francisco. It was attracted to some bird seed I was tossing out. My best guess (which is about worthless as I'm in preschool as a birder) is a Hermit Thrush. Didn't hear any calls. It was just about the same size as some Golden-crowned Sparrows that were also scarfing up the seeds.

[Roy Priest]

With the chevrons it looks like a Fox Sparrow.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I was thinking Fox Sparrow too. They come this way when they are migrating.

[Daniel Cadieux]

100% Fox Sparrow. To note, this is the "Pacific" race. Ours in the east are much more rust-coloured.

[Diane Miller]

OK -- thanks, everyone! Pacific race would definitely fit, out here on the Left Coast!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Never seen one of these Diane it's a good shot. I have never seen a hermit thrush either but generally speaking I think you may well find a clue in the bill - sparrows are seed eaters hence the heavy based stronger bill, thrushes tend to have slimmer bills primarily for insects and snails etc as opposed to crunching seeds.

[john farnsworth]

The dark spot on the chest will tell you it's not a Hermit Thrush. That's a key field sign for about half your sparrows/emberizids.

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, John -- good to know. I'm in kindergarten as a birder.