Common NameWhite-crowned Sparrow
Scientific NameZonotrichia leucophrys
Type of ReportOut-of-Season
Date of Observation01/10/2021
Media
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Number Observed1
Reporting Observer's NameDavid Guertin
Mailing Address1599 Route 30
Cornwall, VT 05753
United States
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Date Completed01/11/2021
Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)43.9758693
Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)-73.2049216
Place Name1599 Route 30
TownshipCornwall
CountyAddison
Vermont eBird Checklist URLebird.org
Time of Day11:54 AM
Length of Time Observed2 minutes
Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)15
Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)15
Optical Equipment Used for Observation

Canon 400mm lens

Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species

Very familiar with this bird, both during migration in Vermont, and in the mountain West where they are abundant.

I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event​​.
Description of Habitat

Feeder next to house

Behaviors Observed

Feeding in tray feeder

Description of Vocalizations

none

Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation

Copied from eBird report: Well, that was a surprise. At the same moment that the first Common Redpoll of the winter showed up at our feeder, it was joined by an immature White-crowned Sparrow. I've seen them here during migration, but never before in mid-winter. Pink-orange bill, dark brown crown with broad buffy crown stripe, buffy supercilium, dark eye line, buffy auriculars, white wingbars, plain gray breast. The shape of the head, eyeline, and bill color had me considering possible Chipping Sparrow, but I ruled that out based on the broad buffy crown stripe and unmarked gray throat. This looks like a White-crowned Sparrow with its crown feathers folded flat.

IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different?

The shape of the head, eyeline, and bill color had me considering possible Chipping Sparrow, but I ruled that out based on the broad buffy crown stripe and unmarked gray throat. This looks like a White-crowned Sparrow with its crown feathers folded flat.

Other Notes & Comments

What looks like the same bird also showed up the following day and displayed the more typical sloping crown of a White-crowned Sparrow. Report to follow.

This report was written from notes taken:Immediately After