What Bird Is That Forum

Hi, been a while. Hope you can help with these two. The first was seen today in Tacoma, WA at Farrells Marsh. Two together chasing around mostly on the trail. I thought young song sparrows but the face isn't right. The next was seen last week in Brighton, Michigan. (two photos)

Thanks in advance, Mindy[attachment=0]DSCN6862 unknown MI.

Top two shots look like Dark-eyed Junco; don't ask me which subspecies.

XX Disregard this reply! [[[ I agree with Dark-eyed Junco, my guess would be Oregon, female.]]]
The first two are female House Sparrows, as Kansabirdguy has stated.


The last photo looks like a Towhee. Immature Eastern? would fit best, I think.

Those are female house sparrow

Kansabirdguy wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:42 pm Those are female house sparrow

Yup! They sure are.

Thanks all.

Kansabirdguy wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:42 pm Those are female house sparrow

I see a light bill, not a black one, and a smoothly colored head with no pattern or markings. I also see a distinct change in color between throat and breast, where I'd expect no break with a female House Sparrow.

What marks of a HOSP do you see that I'm missing? Thanks!

Charlie Spencer wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2026 9:49 am

Kansabirdguy wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:42 pm Those are female house sparrow

I see a light bill, not a black one, and a smoothly colored head with no pattern or markings.

Female House Sparrows do have light bills, unlike the males. The lack of any eye stripe at all is what kept me from thinking sparrow. Sometimes they are subtle, but usually can be detected.

The second bird is indeed a juvenile Song Sparrow.