CLOSED: Need help identifying several juveniles.

This picture was taken 14/07/2009 in coastal Seward, AK. From the streaking on the buff colored breast and the eye ring possibly a Lincoln's Sparrow

This picture was taken 12/07/2009 about 60 miles ENE of Anchorage, AK in a mixed forest, primarily Birch & Aspen. Same comments as above, but the top of the head is the wrong color.

Taken 7/07/2009 on the Denali Hwy in alpine tundra. When I first saw this little thrush it was in the middle of the hwy. The Denali Hwy is a gravel road. I had to break hard to avoid running over the fledgling. It wasn't able to fly yet. (Thrushes often leave the nest before they are able to fly.) I escorted it to safety off the road, and snapped this shot.
I backed off, and waited 10-15 minutes to see if a parent would show up to feed it, but gave up before seeing an adult.
I believe there are only 3 possibilities for this area: Gray-cheeked, Swanson's, or Hermit Thrush. Is it possible to identify such a young bird?


This message was edited Jul 15, 2009 9:55 PM

This is one of three Northern Shrikes I encountered together in alpine tundra 7/07/2009 on the Denali Hwy . I was surprised to see yellow beaks, of juveniles, in all of the pictures I took. Juvenile Northern Shrikes should have brown plumage according to all of my references, both published and personal accounts. Plus this bird still has downy baby plumage.

Comments please.

Last is definitely Northern Shrike; I'd guess they'll turn browner when they shed their down and get full juvenile plumage. Though even full juveniles are really grey with a hint of brown, not properly brown like e.g. a thrush.

Sorry, not sure on the juv. sparrows or the thrush - best thing to do with them is watch and see what comes to stuff food down their throats!

Resin