Unknown bird sighting
Outdoor Ontario

Unknown bird sighting

Shortsighted

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Sitting on the driveway and watching the woodlot across the street when I noticed a bird move from one branch to another. I had binoculars at my side. Hey, I'm not an idjet. I saw a small bird like a large sparrow with an entirely dark gray head, from nape, across crown, face, throat and breast. What!
A Junco ... in September? But at the belly there was a well defined line of demarcation as you would expect to see on a Junco. This time the belly was not off-white but rusty. The only Junco that can have a rusty lower region (flanks that almost meet in the middle) is a Pink-sided Junco. Is that possible?
Stunned and confused. Then I saw the bird. I can't think of how to describe my state of mind after the sighting. I need expert guidance. I know that this forum has more experts than NASA.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


thouc

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Towhee?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Shortsighted

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Male Towhee has black head area and female is brown.
Towhee has a different body shape.
Towhee has red eyes, not black.
The bird was a Junco gray and there was no doubt until I saw
the rusty part on the lower half and then I froze. NOT POSSIBLE!
I've photographed Junco up close and personal so their head shape
is etched in my own. If I only had the time I would stake out the
spot and hope for a return visit because there are feeders around.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I thought of Towhee right away and
then sort of knew that it wasn't.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


thouc

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Oregon and Cassiar (mix of Oregon and Slate-colored) Juncos could fit the description as well. They are a bit less rare than Pink-sided in Ontario, I think.

It's a bit early for Juncos, but there are some observations in GTA this year, so they are around.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Shortsighted

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You got that right.
I just saw a regular DE Junco across the street ... in the grass just ten minutes ago.
Got a good look at it in mini binoculars.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »