I'd Rather B Birdin': Grassy Field Sparrow....wait, A Savannah?

This week, I'm gonna just add a variety of birds. One in particular I'm not sure of the ID, but will hopefully give it its correct name. So without further ado, I share these:

The first pair of photos is of a dove species that is quite common in most areas of the USA...but here in South Coastal Texas, it's scarce. So, it was a treat to spot this as I was walking up the wooden plank to the lookout gazebo on the small reed pond in the area...

MOURNING DOVE

photos taken: Packery Channel Audubon Sanctuary - Padre Island, -Corpus Christi, Texas

habitat map: Mourning Dove

These two photos of the snowy egret were taken on a chilly, bright, sunny day. After finishing up its preening, the feathers were flowing in the breeze...

SNOWY EGRET

photos taken: Hans Suter Reserve - Corpus Christi, Texas

habitat map: Snowy Egret

Another white water bird I show below is the white morph of the Reddish Egret I shared last week. Quoting from the Audubon Society's website I add this little ditty: "...notable for its two color morphs. Reddish Egrets are either dark or white for life, beginning with the downy stage in the nest. Mated pairs may be of the same or different color morphs, and broods of young may include either or both morphs. Over most of range, dark birds are far more numerous."

REDDISH EGRET -White Morph

photos taken: Sunset Lakes - Portland, Texas

habitat map: Reddish Egret

Another wording for Savannah is GRASSY FIELD...I found this little booger in the grassy field...so, a Savannah? [insert wink]The last pair this week I share which I hopefully correctly identified. [sparrows are oftentimes so similar, ID'ing them calls for a bit of researching...at least for me], the Savannah Sparrow has a noticeable pale yellow streak above its eye and often not noticeable. Nope, no yellow streak. But the other possible sparrow would be the Vesper, and by the guide books illustrations, they're much darker/browner and no head streak variation in colors. So...I'm going with the Savannah unless you expert birders inform me otherwise...

SAVANNAH SPARROW[?]

photos taken: Packery Channel Oak Motte - Corpus Christi, Texas

habitat map: Savannah Sparrow

Now share your birding experiences:

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29 comments:

ElaFebruary 21, 2015 at 12:15 PM
That's nice to see your lovely photos and these gorgeous birds !
Have a happy weekend !
FABFebruary 21, 2015 at 12:49 PM
Four good choices for this week's edition Anni. Love the fluffed up Snowy. I had to refer to my copy of Sibley re the Sparrow and personally I'd also plump for Savannah based on the facial pattern.
Ruth HiebertFebruary 21, 2015 at 12:53 PM
It is good to see these beautiful images. Sparrows can be so difficult to ID.
eileeninmdFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:05 PM
Hello Anni, wonderful shots of the birds. Just wonderful from the sweet Mourning Dove, the beautiful Egrets and the Savannah Sparrow.. Great sightings and photos. Thanks for hosting, have a happy weekend!
UnknownFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:31 PM
I love the snowy egret. Those feathers are amazing. Have a great weekend, Anni!
Ginny HartzlerFebruary 21, 2015 at 2:50 PM
The egret is awesome! These are two of the most beautiful bird photos I have ever seen! We have lots of doves in our yard, but I have never gotten such good pictures of them. Yours are beautiful, and I love the way you captured the blue eye ring.
TexWisGirlFebruary 21, 2015 at 2:53 PM
a pretty sparrow no matter what the type. love the reddish egret in white morph!
Betsy BrockFebruary 21, 2015 at 3:14 PM
It might be a Vesper's Sparrow. Savannah Sparrows have a yellow spot near their eye. He's a cutie whatever he is!
NatureFootstepFebruary 21, 2015 at 3:17 PM
I love those fluffy images of the snowy egret. It looks as if it had a coat on. :)
PatFebruary 21, 2015 at 3:31 PM
The Snowy Egret looks like a beautiful diva. Cute little Sparrow.
Sharon WagnerFebruary 21, 2015 at 3:55 PM
The cry of the mourning dove is one of my favorite sounds. So peaceful.
DeniseinVAFebruary 21, 2015 at 7:16 PM
That is the first time I have seen a Reddish Egret in White Morph. He's beautiful but then so are the other birds. Thanks for hosting Anni. I have just linked up.
RebeccaFebruary 21, 2015 at 8:58 PM
Love the beautiful Egret photos! - Thanks for sharing and hosting. - I always love visiting your site and the links.
LindaFebruary 21, 2015 at 11:11 PM
Maybe the mourning doves came from Virginia to escape the bitter cold.
UppalFebruary 22, 2015 at 12:43 AM
Well defined profile of doves and sparrows. Look at those beautiful round eyes of doves and brown streaks on plumage of dainty sparrows!
Kenneth Cole SchneiderFebruary 22, 2015 at 4:10 AM
Nice photos! I've never yet seen the white morph of the Reddish Egret, since I rarely go out to coastal areas. I had one immature visit our local wetlands 18 miles inland, doing its crazy dance.
Phil SladeFebruary 22, 2015 at 6:12 AM
Hi Anni.

Boy that egret looks like it grew an extra layer of insulating feathers just for the winter you have all experienced over there.

I'm sure it's a Savannah Sparrow even though it's a good few years since I saw them. The yellow is usually only towards the front of the supercilium?

They always remind me of our UK Reed Bunting.

Thanks for hosting again, and have a great week you and Bud.
photodougFebruary 22, 2015 at 7:05 AM
Anni, that's a wooly snowy egret. Thanks for sharing.
Maude LynnFebruary 22, 2015 at 9:48 AM
Love the doves!
BreathtakingFebruary 22, 2015 at 11:28 AM
Wonderful shots of all the birds. The Snowy Egret's spectacular plumage is like a beautiful gown or cloak. I have never seen either a Mourning Dove or a Savannah Sparrow, but think I would recognize them now. Great finds!
Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 22, 2015 at 12:14 PM
Loving all the birds, but the perfect capture of the stalking egret is my favorite! Thank you for hosting.
maryaustriaFebruary 22, 2015 at 4:39 PM
These are amazing photos! My favorite is the last one - so cute! :)
Have a wonderful week!
HannahFebruary 23, 2015 at 1:28 AM
I love the dainty Mourning Doves, I wish I could attract them to my deck feeder now that they finally showed up in my yard. The Egret looks like it is snuggled under a blanket. The other egret with wings spread out is a fantastic action shot!
Gail DixonFebruary 23, 2015 at 8:06 PM
Sparrows are challenging to ID for sure. What a gorgeous one you found! Terrific photos all around. I had no idea Mourning Doves were rare in your area. We have way too many which I'd love to send your way.

Thank you for hosting this great meme! Look forward to it every week.
MTWagginFebruary 25, 2015 at 9:07 AM
Still adore those egrets....someday I will add some of those shots to my collection! :)
A Colorful WorldFebruary 25, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Anni...almost failed to link in this week. Been so sick all week with a bad cold. Going to the Dr. today. Glad I at least will be part of things for a couple of days! So interesting about the egret morphs, and I loved the little sparrow.
GreenComotionFebruary 26, 2015 at 5:31 PM
Beautiful photos, Ms. Anni.
Love the snowy egret. So clean and fluffy!

Have a Beautiful Day!
Peace :)
Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 28, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Beautiful photos ... The egrets feathers look like my hair did when we got off the boat yesterday... Lotsa wind. And on the sparrow, I am just one step above identifying all of them as LBJ birds (little brown jobs), so no help in other words.

The header shot and the collage you did above are absolutely stunning!
Margaret Birding For PleasureMarch 1, 2015 at 3:49 AM
Beautiful birds and .shots.Love the Egrets

Grassy Field Sparrow....wait, A Savannah?

29 comments:

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