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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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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Common Redpolls: Winter Prairie Visitors

Common Redpoll
in seed-scattered snow © SB

This winter, small flocks of Common Redpolls have graced our bird feeder in Regina, Saskatchewan.

These small northern songbirds nest in the Artic, and spend the winter further south in balmy climates like ours, where the temperature ranges down to minus 30C, and below.

Both males and females in this finch family have dark red caps; in addition, the males also sport bright rosy breasts.

In our yard, at least, the Redpolls have been ground feeders — scurrying across the snow to peck at seed tossed down by our regular avian visitors, the House Sparrows.

Common Redpoll fluffed up against the cold. © SB

What are these? Common Redpolls
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Photo date: January 11, 2013. 

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Fledgling Brown Thrashers in the Backyard

Long-tailed, beautiful secretive bird, usually in hiding.
(Carrying a scavenged seed.)© SB

Regina, Saskatchewan: For the past few days, we've caught glimpses of adult Brown Thrashers in our yard, foraging under the bird feeders.

Yesterday, two fledgling Brown Thrashers also appeared.

I don't know where their nest was — perhaps in the bushes between our garage and the neighbour's yard, where they often seemed to hover. 

At least one adult was with the young Brown Thrashers — perhaps both were. But the birds rarely stayed still and I saw only one adult with them at a time. 

AllAboutBirds calls the Brown Thrasher "a large, skulking bird of thickets and hedgerows", and says they have "one of the largest song repertoire of any North American bird." 

These Brown Thrashers weren't singing, but only demanding bugs and nuts (the young), and issuing reprimands (the adult/s).

Brown Thrashers are beautiful, with rust-coloured feathers and golden eyes. At least, the adults' eyes look golden; under frequent heavy cloud, the fledglings' eyes looked much more hazy, almost blue. 

Today, I've heard and seen no sign of them. I guess the fledglings' wings are stronger, and they've flown.  

(For the record, I stayed inside and took these pictures through the window in dim light between bouts of rain. And yes, this part of my yard does have a dandelion or two...) 

Adult Brown Thrasher feeds one of the fledglings.  © SB 

The demands of parenthood...
(The fledgling at left, at least, has a seed) © SB

Fledgling Brown Thrasher.  This guy could fly a little
and also spent time in the lilac branches and perched
on garden stakes. But mostly, he ran and hopped. © SB 

What are these? Brown Thrashers

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: July 15, 2012.  

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