What am I?

[sue-o]

Taken in Southern California.

Edit: Re-cropped photo to make it easier to see.

[AndyB]

my guess is dark-eyed junco - "pink-sided" subspecies

[sue-o]

Sorry, Andy.

[greenwithensbirder]

a 'gnatcatcher' ? cailfornian?:puzzled:

[AndyB]

or maybe a black-chinned sparrow??

[sue-o]

Not a gnatcatcher.
Not a Black-chinned Sparrow.

[Hirundo]

Bushtit perhaps??

[sue-o]

Not a bushtit.

[Brian S]

This reminds me of a saltator species, with a big white super and malar, but being in California this looks rather like a Black-throated Sparrow.

Brian

[sue-o]

Congratulations Brian. Black-throated Sparrow it is.

[AndyB]

Ahh well done on the photo and ID. I guess my eyes need testing as I wrote off that huge white super as a blade of grass. Where did you take the photo sue-o? Doesn't look like the usual desert conditions you often see this species in

[sue-o]

Hi Andy,

Yes, I thought the super looked like it could be dried grass or something (well it was supposed to be a challenge!). I probably would have had trouble with it on my laptop screen if I hadn't known what it was.

You are right about the surroundings. I saw it in Huntington Beach Central Park. It was a little surprising to find it there, but not nearly as surprising as the Black and White Warbler! I spent quite a few birding hours at that park when I was home visiting last year. In my opinion, it was as good as Bolsa Chica for birding. Different habitats of course but equally rewarding for birding. I will dig up a Central Park list and post it. Off the top of my head:

Sora, Great Horned Owl, Wilson's warbler, Black-throated Gray warbler, Townsend's warbler, several woodies, Orange-crowned, Chipping Sparrow, Lincoln's sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Red Shouldered Hawk, White-faced Ibis,..and lots of the usual So Cal suspects.
Sue

[AndyB]

Heard about that bird. That was a terrific record for coastal California and quite tame by all accounts. Anyway, bird out of environment and partially hidden made a good quiz bird. Thanks!

[sue-o]

Here's another. Southern Cal in January.

[AndyB]

Golden-crowned Sparrow?

[sue-o]

I was hoping someone would be that fast.:laugh: Yellow-crowed Sparrow it is!
We're off today for two weeks of touring of Italy. I'm taking my computer, but who knows if I'll have access to wi-fi. I plan to have some fun birding in Tucany.
Happy Hollidays, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Sue Osier

[Bobolink44]

Again another forum member off to sunny (I presume but maybe not?) climes for the holiday break.