I spotted this at the Abbey Gardens on Tresco and presumed it was my first Tree Sparrow due to the unusual colouring on the head/nape. However, after looking at many photographs of Tree Sparrows, the colouration just seems wrong, and the fact that Tree Sparrows are very scarce in the South-West adds to the mystery.
Unfortunately I was taking pictures with my 18mm wide-angle lens at the time, so it's not great quality when zoomed digitally.
Anyone any ideas?
Thanks,
Jamie.
Check out my Cheshire Wildlife blog and website at http://www.ourwood.org.uk
Hi Jamie and welcome to the RSPB Forum. Enjoy yourself here
I have to say I agree with you that it is not a Tree Sparrow as there is no white areas on the bird - on the other hand Tree Sparrows have that lovely chestnut colouring around the head area
Your photo still lacks the lighter colouration around the check area, and the chest area.
It may be the fact that you are seeing a Female house Sparrow and they have more pronounced chestnut colouration around the head area
Someone else will other ideas there
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Jamie, welcome to the forum.
oooohwa, unusual colouring of the head compared to the rest of the body but that's as far as I can go, I haven't a clue - just wanted to say hello!.
I'm sure there will be someone on here very soon who will help you out. :-)
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Hi,
the general shape and plumage is still House sparrow- I can't explain the odd head colouring and I can't see enough detail to see if its really the feathers or maybe some discolouring from something else :)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Thanks everyone, the mystery continues.
@seymouraves: I know what you mean, but it was definitely the feathers that were that colour, not dirt, paint or anything like that. With the naked eye it was quite plain to see that the sunlight showed the texture of the feathers and they had the same reflectivity and diffuse characteristics as the rest of the plumage. It's just such a shame I didn't have even a standard lens on. The photo is a bit deceiving as the bird was only around 5 feet away!
Thanks again, let's see if anyone comes up with alternatives, or if it's just a funny-lookin' House Sparrow!
well it's certainly none of the american sparrows I've seen and structurally it's a House sparrow :)
I can’t see your photo. I’m on Tresco today and have the same query. I have a photo of several sparrows with very golden heads and also thought they might be tree sparrows. How can I see your picture?
Did you realise you are posting on a 14 year old thread so highly unlikely the OP is still active on this forum ... I cannot see a picture either, it must have been omitted for some reason, maybe Op deleted it?
However, it would be interesting to see the pics you have of your Sparrows for an ID!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Thanks Wendy. Shound I start a new thread?
Sparrows with golden heads are often those that have been raiding flowers and got a load of pollen stuck to their feathers. birdingforpleasure.blogspot.com/.../mystery-of-orange-headed-starling.html
Thanks Cris, I believe you’re correct. It seems to be a relatively common phenomenon particularly on Tresco near the Abbey Gardens