White-throated Sparrow - White and Tan Morphs: May Backyard Sparrow, Regina, SK (7)

White morph White-throated Sparrow 
in the apple tree © SB

When I saw the first White-throated Sparrow this year in my Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard, I was puzzled by its markings.

The White-throated Sparrows I'd seen (or noticed, anyway) last year were crisply marked — white head stripes, white throat, yellow lores (spots between the eye and bill).

Even their bright throats were clearly outlined, like the bird at right, one of the later White-throated Sparrows to arrive in my yard.

This year's first arrivals, however, were drab and very generically little-brown-bird.

But when I took shots for identification and displayed them full-screen on my 24-inch monitor — and significantly lightened the exposure, shadows, etc. — I realized these, too, where White-throated Sparrows.

There are a couple of options for the IDs of these browner bird, and perhaps a reader can help clarify this?

1. I've seen several similar White-throated Sparrows on photo websites posted as immature birds, but my Stokes shows the immatures as clearly white-marked... 
2. There are also Tan-morphs of White-throated Sparrows, which my Stokes shows as looking fairly close to the brown birds in my photos, so perhaps that's what these are? And if so, I guess the bright white guys would be white-morphs... 

In any case, that's what I'm leaning to here: #2. Tan morphs. Below. 

And so, this year, both the White and Tan morphs of White-throated Sparrows showed up in my yard. 

Which doesn't seem all that unusual, as apparently mated pairs "almost always include one of each morph." (Sibley guides info on White-Throated Sparrows.)  And these birds pictured above and below were both in the same apple tree... 

Tan morph White-throated Sparrow
in the same apple tree. © SB

Tan morph White-throated Sparrow on the ground. (Even more difficult to see its murky markings) © SB

What are these?  White-throated Sparrows, White morph Tan morph.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: May 11, 2013. 

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Mourning Dove at Condie in a Shapely Brown Dress

I'd like a dress that flows like the back of this Mourning Dove, feather waist cinched, soft shawl collar flaring, brown narrow hips, and long long long long sleeves that go on and on and on and on...

(Edwardian? Victorian? I'm not clear on my period fashions.)

The Mourning Dove's eyes I could master with different glasses, but that's not the look that I'm going for. Green eyes, I have; googly rims, I don't need.

With this casual elegance, no need for a chair. Any old post or barbed wire will do.

A svelte and elegant Mourning Dove. © SB

What is this?  Mourning Dove
Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo dates: May 28, 2013.

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White-Crowned Sparrow: May Backyard Sparrows, Regina (6)

Several White-crowned Sparrows have joined the in-migration flock of birds arriving in our Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard this month.

These native birds are larger than Lincoln's Sparrows and Clay-coloured Sparrows. They are also very dramatic with their clear, sharp colours. (I've noticed them in bushes, my attention attracted just by their bright, white stripes.)

White-Crowned Sparrow in the shade. © SB

White-Crowned Sparrow in the sunlight. © SB

What is this?  White-crowned Sparrow

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: May 11, 2013. 

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Lincoln's Sparrow: May Backyard Sparrows, Regina SK (5)

Lincoln's Sparrow in Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard. © SB 

Lincoln's Sparrow was a frequent visitor to our Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard in early May.

This small native songbird looks less than half the size of our more common House Sparrows and House Finches.

Lincoln's Sparrow has a clear buffy chest with streaks, and multi-toned streaks on its head.

Often, this bird's head feathers are ruffled to create a peaked crown.

Lincoln's Sparrow's habitat ranges across North America: It breeds in the north (but not the very far north) and Rockies, winters in Mexico, and is on migration in between... All About Birds says it's even been seen in Cuba.

Close-up of Lincoln's Sparrow's head,
beak and chest. © SB 

Look closely at this small, back-scratching bird, 
and you'll see Lincoln's Sparrow's peaked crown. © SB 

What is this?  Lincoln's Sparrow

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: May 10 & 11, 2013. 

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American Tree Sparrow: May Backyard Sparrows (2)

Two native sparrows that migrate through my Saskatchewan backyard, American Tree Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows, look very much alike. To me, at least. Both are grey and brown with red-capped heads...

But the Tree Sparrow a rufus/red eye line, The Sibley Guide to Birds explains, and the Chipping Sparrow has a black eye line, with white above it... And the Tree Sparrow has a two-coloured beak, yellow and black, while the Chipping Sparrow's beak is black alone... And the Tree Sparrow has a bit more colour on its breast... And...

In any case, the post below features a Chipping Sparrow, my first backyard Regina sparrow for May. And here is an American Tree Sparrow:

American Tree Sparrow - with rufus eye line and half yellow beak © SB

What is this? American Tree Sparrow.

Location: North of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: April 29, 2013.

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First Western Meadowlark of the year, Qu'Appelle Valley

Western Meadowlark in the valley © SB

Western Meadowlarks are back in Saskatchewan. We saw one yesterday along Rte 99, east of Craven in the Qu'Appelle Valley, and then heard another singing several kilometres on. (Still snow in the fields, so roadsides might be the best place to see many spring birds.)

These native birds, while not true larks (as opposed to the Horned Larks, for those who are into such things), are amazing songbirds, and their trills and melodies were among the first I learned when I started watching for Saskatchewan birds.

I love the sound so much that I once taped a Western Meadowlark singing, over the wind in Grasslands National Park. (With my little Flip camera. And did I mention the wind?)

The song of the Western Meadowlark means summer on the prairies to me, and the sight of their bright yellow V-marked throats makes me happy.

I'm also impressed by their camouflage markings... When I got home and downloaded my pictures, I had to search to figure out which one had the tiny Meadowlark, hidden in dead grasses!

Look left, then right, then cross the road. © SB

What are these? Western Meadowlarks.

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo dates: April 13, 2013.

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Horned Larks Feeding Along Saskatchewan Roads

Male Horned Lark: fence post bird. © SB 

A few weeks ago, flurries of Horned Larks rose from the sides of the grid roads near Regina when I drove by.

With heavy snow still thick in the fields, the gravel shoulders seemed to be the best — and perhaps only — place for these returning birds to feed.

Horned Larks, named for the spiky black feathers on either side of males' heads, are native North American larks.


They are one of our first birds back after (or, this year, during) winter, and they form flocks alone or with a few other species. Several times earlier this year, I saw these birds along the road with several Snow Buntings. Alas, the Buntings were too far away for my camera (or me) to clearly focus.

I love the males' horns, but I'm even more pleased to have captured a reasonably sharp shot of a female, as I see them far more rarely.

And I'm surprised I haven't posted pictures of Horned Larks yet; I have some good photographs from last summer; perhaps once the snow melts, I'll post a few.

Female Horned Lark in roadside gravel and snow -
great camouflage, but fields are even better. © SB

Male Horned Lark - yes, I know...
An odd shot, but shows his horns! © SB

What are these? Horned Larks
Location: Along a grid road, near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo dates: April 3, 2013.

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Mountain Bluebirds: Brilliant flashes of Saskatchewan sky

Mountain Bluebird on nestbox - I hope he stays! © SB

Dozens of sky-blue Mountain Bluebirds rose
from the grass and bushes along the side of Route 99 east of Craven, Saskatchewan, yesterday.

A single brilliant male. A group of perhaps three pairs. A flock of 13 — that I counted. More...

Will these lovely birds nest in the many boxes on the road, or are they moving through?

I hope they stay. To see so many Mountain Bluebirds in one small stretch along the Qu'Appelle Valley, so close to Regina, was a total enchantment.

Sky blue. That's what I've read in bird books about Mountain Bluebirds.

And it's true, as long as you see the sky ranging from pale aquamarine to deepest sapphire, with glints of iridescence.

These birds are not a gentle baby blue; their feather flash, reflect the light.

Flying jewels, impossibly, brilliantly blue.

And yet, at the same time, easy to miss or to ignore.

The two cars that passed me on that (at times) quiet road buzzed by in a cloud of dust, their drivers oblivious to the tiny beauties on the valley fence posts, grasses, trees.

Female Mountain Bluebird on a wire - softer, grayer.  © SB

Fence post Mountain Bluebird, #1, male. © SB

Fence post Mountain Bluebird, #2, male. © SB 

What are these? Mountain Bluebirds.   
Location: Along Rte 99, not far east of Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 3, 2013. 

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