Heard then saw this bird at Swan Lake, Victoria, BC today (1June). Its beak makes me think of a red-wing blackbird, but its appearance and song were nothing like it. Any ideas?


Thanks, Susan

Looks like a Song Sparrow.

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Steven Roias

Maybe the song sparrow has different songs but I didn't associate this one's song as one. There was no white streak over the eye and the beak seems longer and darker than a song sparrow. Not the best picture for an identification, I know, and maybe the angle distorted features.

I am no expert so will go with song sparrow and hope for a better picture. Thanks, Steve.

This is definitely a Song Sparrow. You say the song was different than usual and that is not surprising since Song Sparrows have dozens of different songs and calls, hence the name. Not all Song Sparrows have a white streak over the eye, in fact grey is more common. What's probably confusing you is that Song Sparrows have many, many different subspecies, each often only a little different than the other.

Is everyone sure this is a song sparrow? Tail and beak look wrong.

Its a song sparrow. Granted it might have a slightly long beak, but variation in bill size and shape is common in birds, much to the displeasure of shorebird enthusiasts.
The tail isn't easily seen in this photo, so its not a good tool to use.
The overall body, bill, and leg colour all match a song sparrow.
Also what else could it be? I'm open to any intelligent suggestions.

I can no longer see the image, and I forget the marks, but I thought it might be a fledgling cowbird. Can image be re-posted?

... or perhaps a fledgline Spotted Towhee.

Picture re-posted.