Hi all -
Last week a very interesting bird showed up at our feeders, which I was unable to ID at the time, and was gone before I could photograph it. The most telltale field marks were rusty dots/circles on the cheeks, a short, stubby bill, and some yellowish coloration on the breast. I later came across a picture of Snow Buntings at a feeder, and they had the same dotted cheeks. Are there any other, more likely species that have this trait? It was by itself and I have not seen it since, and the most recent sighting on ebird is up in Maplewood.

In short: how likely is it that this bird was a Snow Bunting, in the middle of Kitsilano?

Thanks!
Mele

Long time Kits birder and I've never seen one here @ the feeder or around the 'hood-of course that doesn't mean one didn't pop in.

OTOH your description doesn't match anything I've ever seen here either.

Sam -

Thanks, good to know. Saw 3 SNBU today at Iona Jetty, so that's some consolation for missing the Snowy Owl.

Cheers,
M