Posted by Luke Ormand on February 15, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Came across this Salt-Marsh Sparrow today (first time seeing/photographing one) and am trying to determine if it's a:
"Nelson's Sharp-Tailed Sparrow"
or a
"Saltmarsh Sharp-Tailed Sparrow"
Both are native to the area and this is the only look I have at it. No adjustments to saturation were done. Thanks in advance!
- Luke
Posted by Drew Fulton on February 15, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Luke, It's been a couple years since I've dealt with these two species and am sitting in an airport without a field guide... So, take my ID knowing those two things... I am leaning towards Nelson's but that is purely by instinct and vague memory and I'm not even sure why I say that.... Let's hope someone else can chime in with a more definitive answer...
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 15, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Nice definitive ID Drew :-). Just kidding. . . they don't have any ID books @ the airport?!
- Luke
Posted by Mia McPherson on February 15, 2010 at 7:32 PM
I'd lean towards Nelson's
Posted by Drew Fulton on February 15, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Alright Luke... Flight cancelled, back home. Have my Eastern Sibley's handy and I am going to switch my ID. I am now leaning towards Saltmarsh. Here are my reasonings.
1) There is a pretty bright face, but the orange doesn't extend down into the upper breast but fades out pretty rapidly. On a Nelson's the orange should extend down through the streaking and then end abruptly.
2) That brings us to the streaking. Here they are pretty distinct, characteristic of Saltmarsh, rather than the fainter streaks on a Nelson's.
That being said, I have very limited experience in the field with these birds but at least this time I have a field guide. :)
Any other views of the same bird?
Drew
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 15, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Drew,
Sorry to hear about your flight being cancelled. Here is the only other view I have, though it's pretty much the same. Again, not adjustments other than lowering the exposure a bit and cropping
- Luke
Btw, the Saltmarsh Sparrow was seen further down the road earlier in the weekend, and this particular bird was seen and tentatively IDd as a Nelsons, but it was a brief look by those who observed.
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 15, 2010 at 10:41 PM
photo:
Posted by Drew Fulton on February 15, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Well, that helps a little bit. It gives a better view of the breast and shows a contrasting line between the end of the yellow and the white which favors a Nelsons. I also don't like how light the nape is.
I don't know! Now I lean towards Nelson's due to the contrasting breast. I've only photographed one once before and to be honest, I can't remember what I eventually IDed it as but we saw both that morning. I'll have to go back and find it in my files.
Drew
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 15, 2010 at 11:32 PM
Yes, sparrows are lots of fun! Almost as fun as gulls... ha. My first impression was Salt-marsh and after consulting two ID books I still am leaning towards that. Hopefully I'll have more photo-ops of this bird that can put any questions to rest. Thanks for weighing in
- Luke
Posted by Nick Saunders on February 16, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Luke, I 'd go for a more uncluttered background here ..oh..hang on !
I agree with Salt-marsh. Just spent 10 minutes going through 4 guides to come up with my surmise.
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 16, 2010 at 4:04 PM
Nick,
I know the feeling. . . sometimes you get into that comment tunnel vision!
Yea I went through 3 different guide books and have to concur it's saltmarsh. Now it's time to get the Nelson's
Discussion
10 replies"Nelson's Sharp-Tailed Sparrow"
or a
"Saltmarsh Sharp-Tailed Sparrow"
Both are native to the area and this is the only look I have at it. No adjustments to saturation were done. Thanks in advance!
- Luke
- Luke
1) There is a pretty bright face, but the orange doesn't extend down into the upper breast but fades out pretty rapidly. On a Nelson's the orange should extend down through the streaking and then end abruptly.
2) That brings us to the streaking. Here they are pretty distinct, characteristic of Saltmarsh, rather than the fainter streaks on a Nelson's.
That being said, I have very limited experience in the field with these birds but at least this time I have a field guide. :)
Any other views of the same bird?
Drew
Sorry to hear about your flight being cancelled. Here is the only other view I have, though it's pretty much the same. Again, not adjustments other than lowering the exposure a bit and cropping
- Luke
Btw, the Saltmarsh Sparrow was seen further down the road earlier in the weekend, and this particular bird was seen and tentatively IDd as a Nelsons, but it was a brief look by those who observed.
I don't know! Now I lean towards Nelson's due to the contrasting breast. I've only photographed one once before and to be honest, I can't remember what I eventually IDed it as but we saw both that morning. I'll have to go back and find it in my files.
Drew
- Luke
I agree with Salt-marsh. Just spent 10 minutes going through 4 guides to come up with my surmise.
I know the feeling. . . sometimes you get into that comment tunnel vision!
Yea I went through 3 different guide books and have to concur it's saltmarsh. Now it's time to get the Nelson's