The way the black hood is set off from the gray shoulder and back, plus the bit of brown in the flanks and in the back (especially the third photo), make me think this might be a Cassiar Junco (considered to be part of the "Slate-colored Group", J. h. cismontanus). Cassiars are a considered an intergrade between pure Oregon and pure Slate-colored Juncos, and show intermediate traits. For example, compare your bird to this: http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Sparrows/CassiarDEJU3.jpg from this page: http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/DEJU.html
Fantastic close ups! I always enjoy feeder visits from the juncos. Such pretty little birds.
ReplyDelete@Julie G. - Juncos are pretty cool sparrows and so different from the other sparrows. They are great winter visitors!
ReplyDeleteWow, you usually get Oregon juncos there! Is that one a brother to those in my yard here in New England? :)
ReplyDeleteThe way the black hood is set off from the gray shoulder and back, plus the bit of brown in the flanks and in the back (especially the third photo), make me think this might be a Cassiar Junco (considered to be part of the "Slate-colored Group", J. h. cismontanus). Cassiars are a considered an intergrade between pure Oregon and pure Slate-colored Juncos, and show intermediate traits. For example, compare your bird to this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Sparrows/CassiarDEJU3.jpg
from this page:
http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/DEJU.html
Whoops, that first link got clipped. Let's try this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/47jazpt
Thanks for the interesting info on the possible intergrade Slate Junco.
ReplyDelete