An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

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lovezebs
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An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by lovezebs » Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:11 am

Hello All.

I saw a bird today, that had me running for tha camera, but sadly, I was too late to snap a picture.

The bird, was what looked like a Common House Sparrow (now what's the big deal about that, you might ask). The big deal, was, that where the usual House Sparrow has browny/gray feathers on it's back, this guy had blue feathers.

Now I had never seen anything if the sort before, but this was definitely a House Sparrow, hanging out with other House Sparrows, doing what Sparrows do.

I searched on different web sites, to see if I could find a picture of this unusual specimen for quite sonetime before I hit on something similar, but not exactly the same either.

Has anybody ever come across something like this ?

Elana
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Not sure if the blue on these little guys is just a reflection fom the feeder, or not.
Not sure if the blue on these little guys is just a reflection fom the feeder, or not.
SparrowFeeder+(2).jpeg (27.42 KiB) Viewed 329 times
Common House Sparrow
Common House Sparrow
A group of sparrows and housefinch
A group of sparrows and housefinch
SparrowFeeder+(1).jpeg (25.6 KiB) Viewed 329 times
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

debbie276
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by debbie276 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:21 am

I've seen thousands of sparrows and never any with blue. Could it have been a bit of dye from something he got into?
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

Rox
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by Rox » Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:23 am

Hmm, I wonder if a Blue bird could have had a tryst with a House sparrow??? :lol:
Roxanne

Gouldian's, Blue Breasted Cordon Bleu's, Orange-cheeks, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked waxbill's and Peter's Twinspots

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lovezebs
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by lovezebs » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:44 am

debbie276

It looked very natural, not like an accidental dye job, unless someone had actually grabbed him and coloured him in a very methodical fashion. That's why it was so extraordinary.

I have a whole flock of Sparrows, who visit my tiny yard regularly, in fact practically living here in the climber that partially covers my fence. I toss left over seeds out for them, and they have become semi tame. I call them my 'little beggars', and watch them raising and feeding their fledglings when I'm outside doing yard work. I've had a few Sparrow toddlers bounce off me in their practice flights, which is hilarious. (Yea, I know they're an invasive species and shouldn't be encouraged, but...).

Anyhow, I have never seen this 'blue' fellow before yesterday, and he had my eyes practically popping out of my head (and no, I haven't been drinking :-)).

I'll have to keep my phone close by in the next while, and hopefully this little boy will make another appearance, if my regulars don't drive him off.

Elana
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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lovezebs
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by lovezebs » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:51 am

Rox

Funny girl =)) .

Haven't had any Blubirds around here that I could blame for the deed...... :wink:

Although, had my Parrot Finch boy been out there, I wouldn't be surprised if we'd have some green and red Sparrows, lol.

Elana
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

Rox
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by Rox » Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:12 am

Although, had my Parrot Finch boy been out there, I wouldn't be surprised if we'd have some green and red Sparrows, lol
Now that would be a sight to see! :D

Our garden birds not only get the left over seed but the left over fruit/veg and egg food as well. It's pretty cool watching the wild birds tuck into sprouts etc and even the shrike now comes for the egg food. I always joke that I must have the healthiest garden birds around!
Roxanne

Gouldian's, Blue Breasted Cordon Bleu's, Orange-cheeks, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked waxbill's and Peter's Twinspots

debbie276
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by debbie276 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:25 am

Interesting, hope you can get a picture. :)
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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vienneparis
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Re: An Unusual Twist On A Common Visitor

Post by vienneparis » Thu Jul 30, 2015 2:04 pm

Rox
I had the same thought. A love fest between a bluejay & sparrow :D
Vienne
Bird Lover (zebra, society, cordon bleu, orange-cheeked waxbill, bronzed winged mannikin, goldbreasted waxbill, lady gouldian, red-throated parrot & star finches, canaries, budgies, lovebirds, bourkes parakeets, pheasants & quails)

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