Mystery solved. It's a Carolina Wren!

[Baitball Blogger]

Last edited Mon Jul 30, 2012, 11:27 AM - Edit history (1)

Update: It's a Carolina Wren! Just saw her and she has that telltale white line across her eye.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Without more to identify the bird, I cannot be sure, but

my guess would be a House Wren. This is based solely on the description of the bird nesting in a planter and not moving when you go out. I have seen this several times. If it is a wren, you should have a male singing his little heart out close by....loud for such a tiny bird.

But I would not say one bird is bad or good. I love House Wrens, even if they are aggressive. They only attack birds who nest anywhere in the vicintity of their nest....rather a protective measure even if it seems a little heavy handed.

And if it were a House Sparrow, they are considered worse than wrens because they are so plentiful and are not native birds. They are one of the few birds not protected, along with European Starlings and Rock Doves (pigeons). Personally, I am of the opinion that all living things have a right to live, and they live the lives that they are meant to live. I try really hard not to put my morals on them.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. There is a breed of Florida sparrow which is dropping in number.

I will not be able to identify it, even with a photograph. But I think I've heard enough to live and let live.

[XemaSab]

5. I don't think the endangered sparrows there

are going to be nesting in the pot on your porch.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. I don't either.

I was wishing. It's always about that odd bird that keeps us looking, isn't it?

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. You can tell a house wren by 3 things ( we have lots of them)

Their tails stick straight up, and are short. They are kinda plump. Sparrows have tails in a straight line from the back.

They have VERY loud "cheeebee cheebee" repeated calls, and usually you will the mate repeating the call from a distance. did I mention they are LOUD?
They nest around humans, without fear. But they usually take food to the young when humans cannot notice.
ALL the house wrens I have seen around our house make their own nest ( small but deep) and lay their own small speckled eggs. They lay 4-5 eggs before they settle down to incubate.When on the nest, you usually only see the top of their brown head. The eyes DO look a bit beady, for sure.
I strongly suspect you have a wren, who will happily munch on all bugs around your doorway and porch.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. I'll check the tail out tomorrow.

Thanks for your helpful information.

[XemaSab]

7. A or B?

[Baitball Blogger]

8. More like the top photo.

[XemaSab]

9. And not like this?

[Baitball Blogger]

10. I got a good look at the head and it's woodland brown, though not solid brown.

It is very small. Something that I would overlook easily. I can spot a titmouse because of its peculiar tufted head, but this little guy must have been around the house and I just never noticed it before.