I was thrilled on 18 December to capture this shot of a beautiful little Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) during a visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I initially heard this bird as it was foraging in the underbrush and was searching for it when it unexpectedly hopped up onto a fallen branch. The little sparrow posed momentarily for me and I was able to capture this cool little portrait of it. Even though the background is pretty cluttered, the sparrow really stands out in the shot.
When I took the photo, I was not able to identify the sparrow species. However, the rust colored crown, orange-pink bill, and white eye ring as quite distinctive, so I was able to find the Field Sparrow in my identification guide. Still I was not absolutely certain of my identification, so I posted a photo to a Facebook birding group and several experts there confirmed that it was indeed a Field Sparrow.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That’s a great photo! I, too, have trouble telling the difference amongst some of the sparrows. I like the background as it’s the natural environment for the bird. Thank you for continuing in some ‘not so pleasant’ weather. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Thanks so much, Ann. Happy Holidays to you as well.
Very pretty bird!Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
So cute!
Lovely shot, Mike.
I’ve used Merlin and iNaturalist for years to ID birds by sound and image, and both are free. Logging sightings via the companion eBird app helps the scientist behind the scenes, too.
Use of Merlin has trained my ear and eye; I catch songs I would have missed and recognise more in the field now. If you haven’t tried them, they’re brilliant on days like this—low effort, high reward. Do you use apps much when you’re out, or stick to notes and experience?
I have occasionally used Merlin in the past when out in the field, but most of the time I am reacting to what I see, so don’t have enough hands to be using my phone. I some use iNaturalist to give me an initial idea of what I have photographed, but most frequently iNaturalist gives me a number of different possibilities and I end up having to look more in depth at possible species to try to see if I can determine the distinguishing characteristics between the different possibilitis.