New Bird

Eurasian Tree Sparrow ?

Eurasian Tree Sparrow ?

While having my first cup of coffee this morning I noticed a different bird near the feeders. I don't do very well at identifying the various birds that come into our yard, but I do notice when something different appears. I have to apologize for the low quality pictures. It was very early and still very cloudy and dark. I used my Canon 5D MKII, but with the dim light and the 400 mmm lens on ( with a polarizing filter on ) I had to bump the ISO up to 1600. I used a 1/200 sec shutter speed with the lens wide open. I figured this was about my limit for hand held. It's a good thing I hadn't had my coffee yet. I still had to lighten the image a little in Aperture to get it to where I could even use it. I would love to leave the camera mounted on a tripod in the breakfast nook ready to, but that not going to happen.

Gloria did a little research and figured this bird is a Eurasian Tree Sparrow. It is very similar to the House Sparrow (also called a Tree Sparrow ) that we sometimes see. But this guy has a black bib and a black spot just below and back from the eye.

According to Stokes Field Guide this birds, like some other sparrows, were introduce to North America in the 19th century. This particular sparrow was introduced at St. Louis, MO. They are typically spotted in western Ill. Not sure how this one found it's way to Cheboygan, MI. The guide also says they are in flocks of 25 - 100 birds. Maybe this is a scout and in the coming days we will see the rest of them.