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Amen to that. I've sure saved the post for future reference. Jane (Shoreham) On 9/20/2013 3:11 PM, Richard Enser wrote: > Eric, > Thanks very much for these tips, especially the notes on behavior - they are indeed worthwhile and an example of how VTBIRD subscribers can truly benefit from the experience of others. > Rick Enser, Braintree > > > ________________________________ > From: Eric Hynes <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 1:48 PM > Subject: [VTBIRD] Photo illustrating Lincoln's Sparrow with ID tips > > > Hello Vermont Birders: > > Since Lincoln's Sparrow has been a reoccurring theme on the listserv > lately, I thought some folks might be interested in an image I captured > this morning and a few ID tips. > > There is a little brushy area off Dorset Street in South Burlington that I > have been meaning to check out. This morning I visited it briefly. It > turned out to not be a park unfortunately but still a birdie little patch > during my quick turnaround. > > Shortly after getting out of the car, I had this Lincoln's Sparrow (LISP) > pop up. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/emhimages/9837806086/in/photostream/ > > My first impression when I get a LISP in my bins is of a clean, crisp, > somewhat delicate, gray-faced sparrow. > > The bill is noticeably smaller than the bill of a Song Sparrow. Here is a > comparison image from this morning: > http://www.flickr.com/photos/emhimages/9839110684/in/photostream/ > > The finer streaking on the breast and flanks of a LISP is thin and > well-defined. In contrast, the streaking on a SOSP is usually blurry and > broad. This molting juvenile SOSP in the above linked image is particularly > messy in that regard. > > The streaking on a LISP is also limited to the breast and flanks over a > warm buffy-brown background sharply contrasting with the clean white belly. > SOSPs don't show this bibbed look nearly so well-defined. > > The face of a SOSP is busy with buff, dark brown and some white whereas a > LISP has a clean gray face for the most part with buff restricted to the > submoustachial area. > > Behaviorally, LISP typically pop up with a subtly raised crest. It is > nothing like a Northern Cardinal or Tufted Titmouse but it does give the > LISP a look of being agitated. The raised crown feathers make for a steep > forehead look which is reminiscent of a White-crowned Sparrow. > > Another behaviorally note, in my experience, LISP seem to regularly rise > to the top. If you are working a good sparrow patch and a bunch of sparrows > flush to a brush pile or shrub, LISP usually end up near the top. > > I'm not sure what inspired this but if you are still reading, I hope you > found it worthwhile. > > Best, > > Eric Hynes > Hinesburg >