I posted this picture on another site and 2 folks thing it is a female House Sparrow. I have looked in my Field Guide and online and just don't know for sure. So need y'all to confirm this I.D. This bird was bathing in my water garden. I have never seen HOSP in the 8+ years I have lived here. Perhaps my luck has run out.

Thanks In Advance!

It's hard to tell exactly what it is since it's shaking it's feathers, but I assure you it is not a house sparrow.

I'll do some research tomarrow to try to figure out what exactly it is, but don't worry this time!

Ryan, You have truly eased my mind. I have looked at all the sparrows that visit my area in my Field Guide and online and can't find it. The wet and ruffled feathers does make it more difficut to I.D.

Thanks for your help.

Sorry about my delay in getting back to this bird but things are going crazy around here lately. I'll get to it I promise.

I believe it is American tree sparrow. You can tell by the red stripe on top of the head. We have those here they are half the size of a house sparrow plus sing nice. They nest in bushes so see if they pick your low shrubs for nest site. We had 2 clutches last year.
http://sdakotabirds.com/species/american_tree_sparrow_info.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species/american_tree_sparrow_info.htm

I agree, it seems to be the tree sparrow. You're lucky afterall!

Hey Thanks!!!

I tried to do an edit and add this picture of what could be a female House Sparrow but the edit wouldn't work for some reason.

Anyway....A male House Sparrow has found my little clearing in the woods. I have seen him 3 times at one of my feeders in the past month. I have another picture of what could be a female. It is easy for me to ID the male and really wish to get good at ID'ing the female as well before I take any action.

A birding friend thinks this is a female HOSP. What do y'all think?

I believe its a cowbird.

It looks like a sparrow but its a tiny bit larger.
http://www.sialis.org/cowbirds.htm
I confused it for a sparrow on my feeder too.
http://www.wilddelaware.com/wp-content/female-cowbird-26859.jpg
this bird you have a picture of is missing the white bar for it to be a female sparrow so I think its a cowbird

http://www.sialis.org/hospphotos.htm that's how hosp look like

Hey Grosehexe, I feel you are right on the mark. I have had Cowbirds here and am not happy about their presence either. The beaks always confuse me.

Thanks for the links I am a big fan of Sialis and should have checked Bet's pictures. But maybe this will help someone else who is confused.

BTW....I love your avatar. Is that your furbaby going round and round on the turntable? He/she is too cute!!!

No, unfortunately I am allergic to dogs, though I love them ! So I don't have a dog but I used to have a bird, a Zebra finch. He lived many years and was a really happy bird.
http://www.efinch.com/species/zebra.htm

I checked out your link. Zebra Finches are very pretty birds!!!