The image on the left was taken on Dec 7 in late afternoon (Bird #18). The image on the right was taken on Dec 1 at dusk (Bird #15). Both were taken from the same parking position with the bird perched in the same tree in nearly an identical posture. ARE THEY THE SAME BIRD? Although the photos aren't great, the only difference I see is the mottling on the secondary coverts looks much heavier in the photo on the right. However, this could be an artifact of lighting (look how thick the dark bars on the primaries look in the right photo). The "white triangle" pattern on the back looks identical, as does the lone dark spot on the back of the head. The white line of median coverts even appears to be the same, although the dark line above it appears to be absent on bird #15. If this is the same bird, it goes against the general pattern of behavior of Snowys staying for 3 days or less and then moving on (in our area in early winter anyway). Why did we not see it for 6 days straight? Very unusual. So is it the same bird? I suppose it's impossible to know for sure without banding and/or marking.