Dusky/Dark morph Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus,  is a very common bird in Borneo, co-existing happily with human. 

They feed on excess rice and bread crumbs thrown out of the kitchen, and often seen bathing in puddles at road side after a shower. The urban ones even feed inside food stalls and coffee shops.

While common as they are, individuals with plumage variations are hard to chance upon. 

Here, I share some photos I took of a dark morph individual, it was playing with other normal looking birds in a puddle after a shower, the rising heat wave had created havoc to the image. The images were taken in Tinagat, Tawau. You could see the obvious differences in plumage with the normal looking individuals.

Here it flew to land on an overhead cable. The belly is darkish grey and the upperparts patterns are indistinct.

Here is a image of a normal looking adult feeding a juvenile for comparison.

Here is another picture taken in Sahabat, Lahad Datu by Victor Luke Petrus, showing two dark morph individuals.

Image courtesy of Victor Luke Petrus

There could be more of them around, and next time you see some common Eurasian Tree Sparrow, do not write them off right away.

Happy birding.

Photodocument of Wild Birds of Borneo.

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