Those two are on my "possibles" list, thank you! It has so many indications of either one. Really looks more like the Fox, but is small like the Song. Just watched it fly, and it has a woodpecker-type movement. My National Geographic bird book says the Song pumps it's tail in flight. Also, the Fox would be quite out of it's winter range, but that's certainly not unheard of. I'm leaning toward the Song sparrow. Hope I can get a better look at it's head today.

Donna, they're definetely dark eyed juncos, I have many in my back yard, they eat more off the ground under the feeders and yes, they chase each other around all the time, at least mine do. They are very pretty birds, funny, I didn't have any last year but this year they arrived at the beginning of November, along with the white throated sparrows and have been here since. They should be getting ready to go north soon. The white throated sparrows left a while ago. ~Linda

Okay, they're back and in better light. Mystery solved, I'm being visited by a lovely pair of Lazuli Buntings, oh my gosh!! This is a first in my yard since I've lived here. Thanks all for trying to help me. I got a very clear look at these birds today, and saw that the blue extended across the back, and the head was even bluer than I had realized. I thought at first it might be a Western Bluebird, but it wasn't big enough. Such a pretty little bird and so glad to see it at my feeders!!

Yes, that is very probable. I just didn't see the yellow on the tail tip, but there was a lot of light behind them, making color details difficult. We have seen the adults this summer but never saw a young one before. We've had lots of various juveniles this year. ID is often difficult when going by just pictures in a bird book. Heck, even adults are tough. Right now we're getting all the visitors that are going south. Why do they always pick a bare branch with sky for background, making fine details next to impossible? My camera is 10-15+ years old and not worth fixing. I'm looking into something ideal for back yard bird watching but haven't found it yet. This forum is wonderful but only as good as my descriptions and observation skills. A good picture would speak volumes, not to mention putting it on my computer and enlarging it so I can see it close up. My binoculars are 10-42 and work pretty well, but once they fly, well.....opportunity is lost. Plus, the 10 is tough to find and track bouncing birds.