Song Sparrows drop by our Regina backyard

Song Sparrow in our backyard. © SB

All sparrows sing, but this year, we've been visited more than usual by Song Sparrows, bright russet and gray-white birds that perch on our lilac bushes or peck in the grass for fallen seeds.

Most of our Song Sparrows — or perhaps we only have one Song Sparrow, who flies in, then leaves, then flies back in again — have bold chest streaking with a dark spot in the middle, and quite dark stripes on the lower part of the face. (These are malar or moustache stripes, All About Birds tells me...)

These medium-sized sparrows seem shyer than most of our other sparrows, and often hide in deep shade, or longer grasses. They also have a knack for camouflaging themselves in dirt and seeds. And yet, when you notice them, they are such a vibrant red-brown, it's hard to understand not seeing them at first. (But then, my eyesight is less than perfect...)

Song Sparrow - hiding in the grass? © SB

Song Sparrow - hiding in plain view? © SB

What are these? Song Sparrow — Bruant chanteur.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 2, 2016; April 28, 2016; and May 7, 2014.

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