Monday Morning Birding Basics – No. 4: LBBs

Consider some of the great questions of our time: What is the origin of the Universe? Why are we here? Paper or plastic? And what’s that little brown bird? We’ll leave the easier questions to the scientists and philosophers. Here’s some wisdom on Little Brown Birds.

First, recognize that many LBBs are streaked or specked on the breast, belly and sides. Many are also roughly the same size – smaller than an American robin. So focus less on plumage and size. Consider the bird’s shape, bill, behavior and habitat. I’ll illustrate with four examples.

LBB No. 1, on top, is somewhat elongated and sort-of pot-bellied. It is relatively slim below the neck, particularly compared to LBB Nos. 2 and 3. Its bill is longish for a songbird. I photographed this bird in the woods, which is where it prefers to nest.

LBB No. 2’s proportions are relatively compact. It is shaped more like a football (with a tail) than LBB No. 1. It has a thicker neck. And its bill is conical, stubbier than LBB No. 1’s bill. I photographed this bird in shrubs near a clearing. You won’t find LBB No. 2 nesting in the woods.

LBB No. 3 is similar to LBB No. 2, with the same overall proportions and bill. Photographed on turf during spring migration, it also nests in open, scrubby areas, never in the woods. Your gut might be telling you by now that LBB Nos. 2 and 3 are sparrows.

LBB No. 4 is an oddball. Although this photo doesn’t capture its posture well, this bird is long and thin, particularly around the head and tail. Although it resembles a sparrow, that bill alone betrays it a sparrow impersonator. And no photo will show one of the best clues to its identity: it has a silly walk, bobbing its head forward and back with every step. All other LBBs here hop rather than walk. It is also notable that this LBB is on grass (near a lighthouse in Maine). It nests in tundra and other open areas.

So what have we got? LBB No. 1 is a hermit thrush. Its rusty tail helps distinguish it from other closely related woodland thrushes. LBB No. 2 is a Lincoln’s sparrow. The ultra-fine streaking below is a great mark on this species; if they have them, most sparrows show wider streaks than this. LBB No. 3 is a clay-colored sparrow. One hint on sparrow identification is to note first whether your bird is streaked or clean below. Then look at the face for distinctive markings. LBB No. 4 is an American pipit. No self-respecting pipit will be found in the shrubs among sparrows.

And if you’re still struggling, fear not. You are free to call them Little Brown Birds. At the very least, you can be sure they are not ducks.