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Mystery bird posted by David Brinkman on February 24, 2010 at 09:29:38

Re: Mystery bird posted by deb Quilligan on February 24, 2010 at 10:41:56

Re: Mystery bird posted by Steve Pelikan on February 24, 2010 at 13:08:24

Re: Mystery bird posted by Kathi Hutton on February 24, 2010 at 20:36:47

Re: Mystery bird posted by Joshua Eastlake on February 24, 2010 at 22:06:23

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	Mystery bird         posted by David Brinkman on February 24, 2010 at 09:29:38
	On 2/23 from my bathroom window I saw a bird on the neighbor's front porch that seemed to be something unusual. It was small enough and, without the aid of binoculars, at first I thought it was a chipping sparrow (it was slender like one) until it flew up onto the ledge and displayed white outer tail feathers. Then I thought of either an American Pipit or a Vesper Sparrow. The problem is that the former does not typically winter here and the latter is rare enough in winter. The bird had a thin all dark (black?) bill, coarsely streaked flanks and a long tail like a chipping or American tree sparrow. The coloration of the bird was a pale gray. I think the thin dark bill rules out Vesper sparrow. Is it possible I may have had a pipit? I don't see pipits often enough to recognize for sure, especially without binoculars. (BTW, my binocs were in the car and I was afraid that I would loose sight of the bird if I went downstairs to get them). Any other possibilities from this description? I've been birding for 30+ years and it's funny that I'm having to post a mystery bird here.
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	Re: Mystery bird         posted by deb Quilligan on February 24, 2010 at 10:41:56
	Could it have been something more common with just atouch of albinism? Lots of birds sometimes just have a stray white feather or two.
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	Re: Mystery bird         posted by Steve Pelikan on February 24, 2010 at 13:08:24
	It sounds like a pipit form your description, David. And there are some around all winter and others moving through about now.
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	Re: Mystery bird         posted by Kathi Hutton on February 24, 2010 at 20:36:47
	I can be no help at all on your mystery bird ID, but I wanted to say how great it is that someone who has been birding for 30+ years can still be stumped by an unusual bird. Thanks for sharing your story! PS: You don't keep a spare pair of bins in the bathroom for birding emergencies? ;)
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	Re: Mystery bird         posted by Joshua Eastlake on February 24, 2010 at 22:06:23
	Sounds like a pipit to me.
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