Familiar Sparrows - Part 2

     My earlier post regarding some of our familiar sparrows has generated quite a bit of interest and I am pleased to present another group, which I hope you will enjoy equally.

Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)

     If you have never had the pleasure of examining the plumage of a Swamp Sparrow in detail, then you have missed one of life's great pleasures! If that sentence is not spoken like a true bird lover I don't know what is!

      This individual spent the winter at Riverside Park in 2018 and was never reluctant to come to feed with other birds on the rail along the boardwalk where food was strewn by humans.

     You will note the diagnostic rusty crown, grey face, dark line extending from the back of the eye, and the vibrant rusty scapulars and wings. The back is broadly streaked with black.

     It is not generally found at bird feeders, but as is illustrated above, it is quick to take advantage of anthropogenic food sources when the opportunity presents itself.

     This species nests in cattails or shrubs over water, or in sedge tussocks, generally in northerly locations, or at high elevation on mountain lakes and ponds.

     In southern Ontario it is most likely to be seen in migration, but in northern Ontario, or in states such as Minnesota and North Dakota, it may be found as a breeding species. 

Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)

     This is an exceptionally delicate-appearing little sparrow, somewhat easy to find in the right habitat, and always a cause for intense pleasure on discovering one.

     It is quite plain for the most part and the rusty crown is nowhere near as vivid as on other species. Immediately on seeing a Field Sparrow one is drawn to its pink bill, sometimes referred to as bubblegum pink, and its pinkish/yellow legs.

     Generally, it is uncommon at bird feeders, but once it discovers and habituates to a favourite feeding station, it is prone to become a regular visitor. It shows a preference for feeding on the ground on seed spilled by other birds.

     In the breeding season look for it in old fields or abandoned orchards. The male sings persistently from an exposed perch and is not easily put to flight while protecting territory and seeking a mate.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

     White-crowned Sparrow is a very handsome sparrow indeed, and one that we look forward to seeing in spring and fall as it passes through southern Ontario on migration.

     Nothing is ever guaranteed in the world of birding, but the fact that White-crowned Sparrows will show up in our backyard is as close as one can get to a guarantee. We have lived here for sixteen years and they have not failed us yet.

    The shot above is taken on a moss-covered rock against our back fence.

     Zonotrichia sparrows are quite large, and this species is unlikely to be confused with any other, by the crisp black and white head.

     When freshly moulted the intensity of the colours, and the contrast between black and white is breathtaking. 

     Enjoy this sparkling individual up against Jack Frost (Brunnera macrophyla) in our garden.

     White-crowned Sparrows breed in the far north, in land dominated by Dwarf Spruce (Picea glauca) and Tamarack (Larix laricina).

     The following picture of an adult with young of the year was taken at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto, ON.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

     Our second Zonotrichia sparrow is, if anything, even more appealing than the one presented above.

     It is characterized by a vivid white throat patch and a prominent yellow spot in front of the eye.

     If there were such a thing as a "Canadian" sparrow, White-throated Sparrow would be it. It has a plaintive whistled song, instantly recognizable, beginning with two clear leisurely notes, followed by a three-note phrase, repeated two or three times, and widely interpreted as I love Canada, Canada, Canada.

     While primarily migratory, a few birds spend the winter here, as befits a bird that claims to love Canada, I suppose!

     

     Riverside Park in Cambridge is a reliable location for winter residents, and in the following shot you can see White-throated Sparrow sharing food left by humans with American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), two species covered in my original post.

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

     Here in southern Ontario Lark Sparrow is a rarity, and the first two pictures were taken at a feeder in Fort Erie where a bird spent the winter of 2013/2014, and the owner of the property was very welcoming of visiting birders, keen to see this uncommon visitor.

      It is a very distinctive sparrow, with a striped face that needs little more description, since it is quite different from any other sparrow, except, (vaguely I might add), the much rarer Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza nevadensis).  The habitat preferences of these two species do not overlap to a great extent, so it is unlikely that you will find them together.

     Lark Sparrow breeds over much of the continental United States and is found in the southwest year round. The bird seen below was photographed in southeast Arizona at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains.

     Be sure to keep an open eye for this wonderfully attractive bird.

      I hope you have enjoyed getting to know five other sparrows and will take up the challenge of identifying them. 

     Let me know what you find in your area.