Confirming CSSP Bird ID

[Dinusaur]

1-3: Bonaparte's Gull at different stages of maturity? #1 is probably an adult, #2 is presumably first winter. How about #3?




2-5: Swamp Sparrow? Sorry about the poor quality - wasn't very interested thinking that this was just another Song Sparrow.

[Rotarran]

Yeah I think you're right on the Swamp Sparrow.  The absence of strong streaking on the breast instantly eliminates Song and Savannah, leaving only White Throated and Swamp...but the White Throated, on top of having yellow near it eyes, also has a more prominent "white throat" (hence the name) and also virtually no streaking.  The Swamp Sparrow has faint streaking, which your pictures show.  Also Swamp Sparrows have a reddish/rusty brown on their backs and crowns making them stand out at first sight.

PS: sorry don't know too much about the various cycles of Bonaparte Gulls.  All I can say is that they're all Bonapartes just by looking at their wings.

[thouc]

The Bonaparte's Gulls are all adults in different stages of transition from winter to breeding plumage.

Agree wtih you and Rotarren that it's a Swamp Sparrow.