Orkney Image Library

The spots and streaks on its breast and flanks are puzzling(to me anyway) otherwise I'd say it's a Tree Sparrow, a pretty uncommon bird in Orkney. I'd make sure a proper ornithologist sees this photo if I were you.

I think you are right Ian this is probably the tree sparrow- passer montanus- It differs from the other sparrows in having chestnut plumage on it's head, which by the look of this one it does have.

Tree Sparrows tend to show a little more white towards the nape of the neck, but this one's head is drawn in, so the white may be hidden. It's the spots that don't fit - Tree Sparrows don't have spots, either as adults or youngsters, as far as I can discover. Could the 'spots' just be shadows cast by ruffled feathers? I do think it's worth running the original photo past an expert Hannah if there's one handy.

Thanks I'll do that

I have more pictures of it if you want me to put them up, I didn't before because I considered them to be perhaps a bit blurry

Sarah - nice shot, but you have given us a bit of a puzzle. I have taken the liberty of copying your photo and passing it on to someone who should know. In the meantime - anyone have any ideas?

Hannah, maybe one of your other pics shows the bird with no spots (ie feathers not ruffled)? Perhaps one also shows that the crown is not all chocolate-brown but is blackish particularly in front? In which case out goes rarity and in comes common old Cock (House) Sparrow. The trouble with even slightly blurry pics, from the identification point of view, is that 'field-marks' distinguishing one species from another can often be very small details, as I'm sure you appreciate. But I for one would be very happy to see further pics.