Harris's Sparrow: May Backyard Sparrows, Regina SK (3)

Today's May Bird: Harris's Sparrow. I saw only one, but it posed well for me!

These birds, with their distinctive black face, throat and chest markings, are typically found only in the middle of North America — and breed only in Canada.

Harris' Sparrows also have that peculiar (to me) way of running forward while scratching backwards for food that many native sparrows display, and stop-motion moments are rare in my backyard.

Harris's Sparrow - taking a break in my backyard, during migration
from the southern U.S. to the Canadian Arctic.   © SB 

What is this?  Harris's Sparrow
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: May 11, 2013. 

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Harris's Sparrow: Migrating North

Harris's Sparrow, a visitor winging north to Canadian boreal forests and tundra to nest, stopped at my backyard feeder this week. These small songbirds, recognizable by their black bibs, foreheads, napes and crowns, travel north and south by season through the centre of North America.

Here's a cool fact: Harris's Sparrow is the only bird species that nests in Canada — and nowhere else in the world! (I know this is true — and a cool fact  —  because All About Birds tells me so.) 

Harris's Sparrow pecking through sunflower seeds

Harris's Sparrow watching me, watching him.

Harris's Sparrow, eating seeds.

What is this?  Harris's Sparrow 
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: April 28, 2012. 

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