Expert: Julia Booth - 7/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: Nesting low in Patio Elm located in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.  Color - Rust with rust spots on off white breast, about 5 or 6 inches beak to tail. Approximately the size of Cardinal or Blue Jay. Pair began building nest several weeks ago for one entire day but they did not reappear.  Nesting about seven feet above ground in very leafy area.  Yesterday a pair (the same ones?) began looking like may have laid eggs in same nest.  No longer carrying twigs, etc.  Seems like one stays in nest.  One may be bringing insects. Thank you.

ANSWER: It's sparrow/finch sized. Behavior sounds like a House Finch -description sounds like a sparrow (any number of). Are there any other distinguishing characteristics or markings? Do they make any specific sort of noise? When you say rust, do you mean more brown or more red? Is the beak short and cone shaped, short and needle-like or long and needle-like?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Chance to take a closer look.  Tail shows about 1/2 inch wide and hangs down while perched. Tail is as long as body. Rust color is reddish brown. Rust spots not round, rather wide at top to narrow at bottom, on full front all the way to his feet. Beak is more short and needle-like. Not long as a woodpecker. Eye has round yellow iris and round black pupil.  Hops from branch to branch.  Looking thru  window so hear no sound.   Thanks again.

Answer
I've gone through all my books and I'm just not coming up with anything that meets all of your criteria. I'm leaning towards some sort of Thrush or Warbler, based on size. But your description of color and pattern is more Thrush or Sparrow-like. Only a handful of small birds hold their tails down as oppose to up when perching -and there are only a couple birds that size with yellow eyes, none of which meet your description.

So, as much as it pains me, I'm going to send you to this website with a comprehensive menu of options. You can imput the criteria and it will search the database for you.

http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx

Let me know what you find out. Sorry, I couldn't help you more.

Julia