October 10 - Central Park - Junco x White-throated Sparrow hybrid

Another good morning birding in Central Park, this time with the Friday AMNH bird walk group. The most unusual bird we found was a hybrid - an apparent cross between a junco and a White-throated Sparrow on the path by the northeast corner of the "Swampy Pin Oak" area, east of the Rustic Shelter. My own camera was put away in my backpack and I could not get it out quick enough to get a picture but two of the walk participants, Helaine Eisenberg, and Barry Pinchefsky were able to get some pictures of the bird and very kindly sent me copies and permission to post them here.

Junco x White-throated Sparrow hybrid                                                                         © Helaine Eisenberg

Junco x White-throated Sparrow hybrid                                                                      © Barry Pinchefsky 

I have never seen this form before, but it has been reported in the past. I found a picture of one found in North Carolina in 2011 on the Internet at Junco x White-throated Sparrow.

The full list for the walk is below. Not included in the following list are two species Lincoln's Sparrow and Pine Siskin that I saw as I came through Strawberry Fields before I met the AMNH group.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (4, the Lake)
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
House Sparrow