Horned Lark?

[Napper]

just a couple of questions

Can someone provide some info regarding the shape size, and colouration of  an immature horned lark.

Saw a bird today that appeared to be "House sparrow" size, heavily barred breast and it had greyish coloured horns.

I tried to get an image of the little guy unfortuately another bird caused it to fly off..

I have seen an imaged(not very good) Horn Larks in and around the drainage ponds near my place only on one occasion..

this bird looked very similar to a plain old House sparrow....I don't know, I might be seeing things again..

Any help would be appreciated ..... Napper  :?:  :lol:

[Pat Hodgson]

Sibley guide shows "Juvenile (Apr-Aug)" horned lark as having white spots on head and back and heavy white edgings to wing feathers - don't think you'd mistake it for a house sparrow.

Maybe it's a new species - the devil sparrow?? :twisted: :wink:

[Napper]

Thanx Mr. HodgsonThis little guy had a breast colourlation of  a song sparriow

heavilyl barred etc.. did not have the colours about the head of  "house sparrow"

I meant only similar in size to a House sparrow.. Sorry...  

Honestly it was a little weird.  I am sure I saw two little feather horns off of the top of this sparrow type bird..

I am not an expert by any means but I am sure I saw, what I saw..

look closer at  the image, really dark, when zoomed tiny horns are evident,,,

better viewed at the gallery...

 
 
Napper:

 :lol:

[Pat Hodgson]

Looks rather like a house finch.  Especially as it was at a pond it may have been bathing and grooming which could cause some of the feathers on the head to be other than flat-lying.

[Napper]

House finch having a bad hair day...  ok

I sat out side with the camera most of last evening hoping for it to return, Of course it did not..

Even dragged the tripod out to try and get a better shot.  I looked again tonight but to no avail.  At around 5:50 pm a  monson swung thru and spoiled any photo

ops.. I will keep looking for the House finch there is a nest next door and they are at my feeder most days..


Thanxx  Napper.........

[Napper]

I found this image of a couple of house finches having a bad hair day..:lol:







http://homepage.mac.com/rstacy/%20image ... 03C27.html