Sparrow With White Wing Bars

Jackaroo · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 09:56 PM

At first glance I thought I'd spotted something different at the feeders today but when I fetched my bins I realised it was just another house sparrow. It took me a minute or two to realise what had caught my eye in the first place. The bird had pronounced white bars on its wings.

It's the first time I've seen this and am assuming its a mild case of leucism. Has anyone else seen this in sparrows? Seen it on crows but not sparrows.

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 09:57 PM

Lots of the Sparrows in my garden have the same markings..

Jackaroo · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Lots of the Sparrows in my garden have the same markings..

You didn't send one up did you?

I've looked back at all my photos and cant find another one quite so pronounced and I have a lot of sparrow shots as you know.

operanut1972 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 10:40 PM

I'm only guessing, but could it be a hybrid variant? Silly question I know.

Jackaroo · #5 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operanut1972

I'm only guessing, but could it be a hybrid variant? Silly question I know.

Could be. I'm no expert. It could be a perfectly commonplace thing. Just not in my garden. I suspect it'll be me looking silly.

tigertom · #6 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 10:50 PM

Got a few the same in my garden as well

MIKE

Jackaroo · #7 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 11:25 PM

Hmmmm. I'll probably be seeing them all over the place after this lol.

GillMc · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 12:34 PM

Hi
New member here, I searched for information regarding a White winged sparrow and came across your site and this thread. I too have a sparrow or what seems to be a sparrow with a broad White on each wing, it's been in my garden for a couple of months now and I've noticed this morning it seems to be growing a bit bigger than a sparrow and it's feathers are more definitive now, must try and take a photo and post it
Gill

Pipa · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 01:02 PM

I've not seen one with white markings on both wings but i have had a few that have a white feather mixed in with them here and there

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GillMc

Hi
New member here, I searched for information regarding a White winged sparrow and came across your site and this thread. I too have a sparrow or what seems to be a sparrow with a broad White on each wing, it's been in my garden for a couple of months now and I've noticed this morning it seems to be growing a bit bigger than a sparrow and it's feathers are more definitive now, must try and take a photo and post it
Gill

Are you sure yours is a sparrow and not a young this years chaffinch..

Welcome to WAB..