Urban Hawks

Some bird identifications can be difficult.  Sparrows, Flycatchers and Gulls are the tough birds in Central Park.  On a foggy Saturday afternoon, three sparrows were seen together.  (Credit for the first sighting goes to Jacob Drucker with follow ups by Tony Lance.)  Two of the birds were clearly Chipping Sparrows, with the third appearing to be a Clay-colored Sparrow, a species not normally found in Central Park.

In the Spring, these two species are easier to tell apart.  In the fall, it’s harder.  Rump color, lores, crown patterns come into play. 

An Orange-cheeked Waxbill, an African finch has been seen on the western edge of the maintenance field for a few days.  Most likely an escapee from a zoo, it has been hanging out with house sparrows.  It won’t be able to tolerate the cold weather, so it will most likely perish later this month.

Lincoln’s Sparrow in the Maintenance Field of Central Park.