In the last several days, I've seen sparrows in my yard that look much
like normal White-throated Sparrows, but with throats that are not
white, or off-white, but quite gray. I didn't think much about it until
this afternoon, when I saw one that was clearly a mature male - bright
white and black head, bright yellow lores, warm brown streaked back and
wings - and again a very gray throat. But what was most distinctive was
the breast and belly. While normal adult males have a gray breast and a
rather white belly, this bird had a distinctly white-spotted gray
breast, and the white-spotted gray extended well into the front of the
belly. Couldn't see the rear belly and vent.
I'm sure I've never seen this plumage (it was quite striking), and
neither Sibley nor NG5 show it.
Has anybody else seen this? Is it a transitional plumage?
Also, FOY House Wren singing in my yard today.
Thanks,
Bob Hartman
Colesville (Silver Spring), MD |