Lucky day - plus ID confirmation needed plz

[Stomperone]

Well today I had a great surprise, I was sat here happily drinking a cup of coffee looked out of the window and saw several goldfinch plus about 10 greenfinches - this was the first visit of greenfinch that I have seen at my feeders. But I left me with a query if these are greenfinch then what was this as it seemed to be a lot brighter than the green finch I had here today.. This bird gave me a fleeting visit on the 10/1/2008 and as far as I could make out it was on its own. I was certain it was a greenfinch on the day but after seeing these finch today I am a bit dubious as to whether I was right

Also visiting today was this bird, to me it looks like a common sparrow but for some reason it looks different (longer tail and stripe by its eye) I am fairly new to all this recognition stuff so would like confirmation as to whether I am am right or not..


Thank you once again for your enlightenment.

[Wild-Woman]

Nice shots. Last one is a female House Sparrow. Others are greenfinches and a goldfinch.
You've got a good feeding station there.

[Stomperone]

Am I right in thinking that the house sparrow is the sparrow thats in decline or is that the hedge sparrow?

I guess I can google that answer really

[Kayleigh]

The male greenfinches are more brightly coloured than the females.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Stomperone

Am I right in thinking that the house sparrow is the sparrow thats in decline or is that the hedge sparrow?

I guess I can google that answer really

Tree sparrow, house sparrow and hedge sparrow (otherwise known as a dunnock) are all in decline though the dunnock has not declined as much or as rapidly as the other two.

Its good to notice the differences in colour, your brighter green greenfinch is a male they are brighter green especially as we head towards the breeding season.

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by Stomperone

Am I right in thinking that the house sparrow is the sparrow thats in decline or is that the hedge sparrow?

I guess I can google that answer really

Yep, it's the house sparrow that's in serious decline. Hedge sparrows are also known as dunnocks, they look similar to sparrows from a distance but the dark grey chest and front of head and red legs usually give it away. They're from a different family to sparrows, accentors or something I think, tho look quite close to me. Nice feeding station.

[Goosegogs]

Thats a lot of greenfinches.
Bought I-spy birds which arrived today, greenfinch is worth 5 points, Goldfinch worth 10, house Sparrow worth 5. Dunnock is worth 10 points. And the fieldfare I saw last month - 15 points!

[Stomperone]

Thank you, I guess I scored well today then ..

I am really pleased to see all of the greenfinch out there.. Another bird to cross off my "Want To See in my Garden" list.. Hopefully they will remember where i am..

[Adam Cheeseman]

The decline in House Sparrows seems to have levelled off in a lot of places and in some areas there can seem to be quite a number present.

Incidentally Hedge Sparrows aren't sparrows. They're Accentors; Hedge Accentor for our species.

Cheers,

Adam