My Song Sparrow Series - Identifying the Mother Bird

The next morning, July 5th, as soon as I ate my breakfast, I went out to the rhodie to see if I could get any photos of the mother bird. It wasn't easy. I couldn't get very close when I would see and hear the leaves flutter as she was scurrying out of the nest and into the bush. I don't know if she was trying to distract me away from the nest, or if she was protecting herself from danger.

Finally, during one of my attempts, she perched up in the tall weed that grew above the top of the bush. Thanks to my 250mm lens, I got a few photos of her - here is one.

Then I watched her fly to the feeders and was able to get a few more photos good enough to compare with the field guides.

It still took me a while to figure out what she was - a very common Song Sparrow (Pacific Northwest flavor). I didn't realize just how common until a few days later when I saw a sign posted at the Railroad Bridge Park where a group of birders take a morning walk every week.

(Gosh, where have I been???)

One photo I had taken that morning troubled me.

I had never seen the feathers on the back of her neck stand up like that before, or was the back of her neck bare? I wondered if it was caused by an aggressive male? or Was something in the bush chaffing her? or Was it from mites or infection?

The one good thing was that she did seem healthy and was very busy going back and forth from feeders to nest all day.

But, now I had to find out what that was all about.

(Next: The Back of Her Neck)

(Photos taken 07-05-2010, Canon Rebel Xsi, 250mm lens)