ML611283775

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Behaviors

Foraging or eating

Observation details

Notes taken in the field: "Stumbled upon it while checking waterfowl from the second (middle) pier on the west side of the lake. Solitary small, Longspur-like bird foraging/grazing contentedly along the north edge of the pier among the rocks (concrete chunks), gravel, and short grass. Immediately stood out due to bright white feathers. Chest, belly, and most of face bright white. Toasted-marshmallow brown on top of head, auriculars, and slightly down the sides of the chest. Pale pinkish bill, black eye. Streaked gray and white back, black and brown patterned wings when folded. Middle third of wing bright white when extended during preening. Tail brown on the edges turning into black in the center. White on sides by the base of the tail. Observed continuously for approximately 30 minutes under ideal conditions (direct sunlight at my back) at a distance of about 10 yards. Silent the entire time. Preened briefly but otherwise spent its time quietly searching for food. Definitely wary, but content with my presence after a while. Ruled out all other longspur and sparrow species due to extensive white coloration, behavior, and habitat. Poor cell phone photos through binocular obtained for ID. Still foraging as I left the area as quietly as possible to avoid scaring it off. What an unlucky day to leave my camera at home."

Technical information

Model

Teracube 2e

ISO

110

Focal length

3.4 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/2.0

Shutter speed

941/1000000 sec

Dimensions

1117 pixels x 1156 pixels

Original file size

226.45 KB