I missed on focus, and this is a very heavily cropped image. Can anyone identify the species of this bird? I'm pretty sure it is some species of sparrow, but I haven't identified it. If it helps, I'm in Indiana, close to Chicago, IL.

Ed

My guess is between a Song Sparrow or a Vesper Sparrow.

These links may help:

A Pictorial Guide to Illinois Birds (http://www.illinoisraptorcenter.org/Field%20Guide/sparrow.html)

All About Birds (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/)

Thanks for the links T. I've been thinking it was a Vesper Sparrow, but according to the book I have, and the link you provided, the Vesper should be down south by now. Next time I see it I'll have to get a good look at the tail. That should tell the story.

Ed

Ed its definitely not a Condor.

That would have been my second guess, Chris. Thanks for the input. :D

Ed

I haven't been birding in the east [mid west] for a while but I've now spent 45 minutes in three of my bird keys and I know it isn't a song or vesper sparrow.

At first I thought it possible to be a juvenile of one or the other but it seems juvenile plumage is gone by Aug-sept.

I'm convinced that it is a female eastern Purple Finch.

Did you do the Xmas bird count with the Audubon? The times I have have been incredible learning experiences.
Winter plumage can be such a challange.

Thanks for the reply Robert.
I'm convinced that it is a female eastern Purple Finch.
Did you do the Xmas bird count with the Audubon?
Because of your post, I pulled out my book again. According to the book, the purple finch "Female is told from the female House Finch by the broad white line back of the eye, and the larger beak.
Looking at the pictures, the white line is prominent. But the picture of the house finch looks just like the picture I posted.
I haven't done the bird count with the Audubon, but it sounds like an eye opener! Thanks again for the post.

Ed

Ed,

Try the BirdForum.net (http://www.birdforum.net/index.php?). It's a great resource for birding.

You could even post your picture and see what the members think it is.

I'm going to go with a Female House Finch based on the lacking facial pattern.

Finches Visual Comparison (http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/finchIDtable.html)

Similar species:
Female House Finch lacks the distinctive face pattern of the female Purple Finch. Female Cassin's has finer streaking on the breast and a less noticeable face pattern. Sparrows are slimmer with longer tails and different markings.
-USGS (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html#Fringillidae)


photos from Brids Cornell (http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/finchIDtable.html)

Thanks for the post, T. That looks like a pretty nice site, but no time right now to further investigate. That will be added to my "to do" list. I have it bookmarked.

Ed