American Tree Sparrow: First Regina Backyard Migrating Bird

We've had a very mild winter, and I've been watching and waiting for the birds, wondering whether migration would start earlier this year because of our snow-free weather. And this afternoon, an American Tree Sparrow answered that question. For me, at least. At least with respect to the limited sample size of birds that land in my Regina, Saskatchewan backyard.

The first migratory bird of the year... 
An American Tree Sparrow stops off to feed on its flight back north.  © SB

This American Tree Sparrow blended well with the other backyard birds (the regular crew of House Sparrows and House Finches), but then the white feathers on its wings caught my eye, and when I looked closer, I noticed its rusty crown and eye stripe. 

And yes, it's early — if not in its arriving, then in my noticing of it. Checking back in this blog, I see that they usually pass by my yard anywhere from the beginning of April to the end of that month. 

Welcome, to a sign of Spring! 

And... Because I'm back to French classes, I'm happy to say that in French this is a Bruant hudsonien, and also that I'm delighted to have found Sibley's guide to North American bird names in French today!  

What is this? American Tree Sparrow .

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: March 14, 2016.

~~~~~

White-crowned Sparrow - with a very white head

Mystery bird - looks like a White-crowned Sparrow © SB

An unusual bird visited our Regina, SK, backyard feeder many times this spring — one like nothing I've seen in bird books, but which we think is likely a White-crowned Sparrow with partial albinism.

Its head and neck are white, except for a few fine, lingering black traces on its crown.

Its markings were so striking that I started calling it a Ghost-crowned Sparrow.

At first, it was very timid — as all of the newly arrived migrating sparrows seem to be.

But it quickly realised that this was a fairly safe food source (our cats stay indoors, though others wander through... And a Sharp-shinned Hawk has landed here, too.)

In any case, it settled in for several weeks, then flew on.

White-crowned Sparrow - if that's what it really is - posing in the backyard.  © SB

A beautiful White-crowned Sparrow - with a difference!  © SB

For reference, here is a White-crowned Sparrow with typical markings. Others that arrived this spring are shown a few posts down: White-crowned Sparrows in my Regina backyard - Spring!

A typically coloured (and curious) White-crowned Sparrow   © SB

What are these? White-crowned Sparrows (the one at top seems to have partial albinism).  

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo dates: Top photo, May 6, 2014; others, May 9, 2014.

~~~~~

Spotted Towhees in Grasslands: I have a message for you

To all Spotted Towhees in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan:

There is no need for you, or any other birds, to hide behind bare shrubby branches when I drive by.

This is the only picture I have of you large sparrows, and it barely captures your brilliant rust, white and black colouring.

Spotted Towhee beside the Frenchman River   © SB

That said, my thanks for waiting on this bush, beside a bridge over the Frenchman River, until I was able to take this single shot.

And yes, I love your bright red eyes.

Seen on the Prairie Passages tour of PFRA and other publicly owned grasslands, with conservationists, authors, and photographers, including Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson, Alberto Yanosky (Executive Director of BirdLife affiliate Guyra Paraguay), and  Ian Davidson (Exec. Dir., Nature Canada). Organized by Public Pastures - Public Interest. For more on the tour, see Pasture Posts and Trevor Herriot's Grass Notes.

What is this? A Spotted Towhee.
Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.
Photo date: June 25, 2013.

~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~

Clay-coloured Sparrow: May Backyard Sparrows, Regina SK (4)

Clay-coloured Sparrows are one of my favourite native North American sparrows — they look so clean and crisp, with their pale buffy breasts, pink legs and streaked crowns.

These sparrows live in the grasslands and prairies, throughout the mid section of North America. They breed across Western Canada and the Northern U.S., winter in Mexico, and migrate across the central U.S. And yes, they visit Saskatchewan every summer, and hang out in spring in my Regina backyard.

Clay-coloured Sparrow, in backyard lilac. © SB

Clay-coloured Sparrow, in Regina park. © SB

What are these?  Clay-coloured Sparrows

Location: Top photo, Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan; bottom photo, park, Regina, Saskatchewan. 

Photo date: Top photo, May 10, 2013; bottom photo, May 9, 2012. 

~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~

White-crowned Sparrows Return to Regina

White-crowned Sparrows returned to our Regina backyard this weekend — a stop-over on their migration to their northern breeding grounds (Northern Saskatchewan, Yukon, etc.) from their winter patch in the southern U.S.

White-crowned Sparrow, hunting for seeds in my backyard.   © SB 

I love watching new native sparrows and song birds pass through! And I welcome these White-crowned Sparrows, with their crisp black and white head markings, and jittery way of jumping back and forth while foraging for seeds under the feeders.

(And the grass itself has just started to sprout; a week ago, we had snow drifts in our yard.)

What is this? White-crowned Sparrow.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: May 7, 2013.

~~~~~

American Tree Sparrow: Close-up in Regina, SK

A clearer, close-up picture of the American Tree Sparrow that's visited my backyard in the past few days. This little bird is getting braver, leaving the lilac bushes to hop around the feeders, looking for seeds. (That's a sunflower seed in its mouth, below, not a black beard beneath its beak...)

Migrating American Tree Sparrow, with sunflower seed,
now brave enough to come to close to the house to find food.   © SB

What is this? An American Tree Sparrow, stopping during its migration north.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 4, 2013. (Still mega snow...)

~~~~~

American Tree Sparrows Arrive in Regina, Saskatchewan

Another wonderful sign of spring: American Tree Sparrows have arrived back in Regina, Saskatchewan — I wonder what they think of our remaining three feet of snow?

These red and gray native birds winter across the U.S., migrate through southern Canada, and summer in the north: the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska. They're songbirds (yeah!), so a lovely — if temporary — addition to our backyard flock.

Two shots of the most visible
American Tree Sparrow.  © SB

I love that red crowned head! © SB

The American Tree Sparrows in my yard were shy, perhaps just because this was their first day near our feeders? If so, perhaps they'll be more bold if they stay a while? Whatever the reason, the two that dropped by hid deep in the lilacs and back near the garage.

I love their red heads and crisp marking — a lovely change from our resident gray and black House Sparrows.


What is this? An American Tree Sparrow, migrating north
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 3, 2013. 

~~~~~

House Sparrows: Regina Backyard Neighbours

House Sparrows are the most numerous birds in my Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard — as long as our birdfeeders are filled with sunflower and other seeds.

These noisy sparrows, found in most parts of the world, were introduced to North American, where they do extremely well, often out-competing other birds for nesting space.

(There is high-rise House Sparrow house down the lane from my garage; in theory, it was designed and built for swallows, but these brown-streaked guys got there first, and seem to delight in the sweeping dive down to our feeders.)

Male House Sparrow on lilac bush   © SB

What is this? A House Sparrow

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan

Photo date: September 16, 2012. 

~~~~~

White-Throated Sparrow: Canada Songbird

White-Throated Sparrows have arrived in our backyard, singing their Canada song. (At least, that's how the bird guides "oh-sweet-Canada" describe it, and Gord calls them the Canada Bird, so that must be right.)

From a distance, White-Throated Sparrows look like White-Crowned Sparrows. To me, at least. When these songbirds are in the branches of the lilac tree, and I am perhaps not totally attentive.

Up close, there are a few significant difference, such as the bright yellow spot above the eye and their clearly defined white throat patch.

Apparently, these forest sparrows breed mostly across Canada — so why not call White-Throated Sparrows Canada birds?

White-Throated Sparrow - Canada songbird.©SB

White-Throated Sparrow - 
looks white-whiskered to me! ©SB

What is this?  White-Throated Sparrow 

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: April 30, 2012. 

~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~

White-Crowned Sparrows in Regina

A new bird has been at our Regina, Saskatchewan, feeder this week: A White-Crowned Sparrow. At least, I'm convinced there is only one of these sparrows in the midst of all the House Sparrows and House Finches. 

This little White-Crowned Sparrow seems shyer than the others, but still quite happy to hang out, sheltering in the lilacs and seeking seeds on the ground. 

White-Crowned Sparrow in lilac branches © SB 

My new Audubon bird app indicates that White-Crowned Sparrows winter in the southern U.S., and migrate through the Prairies to their summer breeding grounds in the North. My iBird app tells me that the White-Crowned Sparrow is one of the best-studied songbirds in North America; much of our knowledge of bird song (and, says Audubon, of the physiology of migration — which makes me suspect knives in both these studies) comes from this bird.

As neutral as the White Crown's colouring is, this bird stands out from the others. While the rest of its body — pale gray and brown — blends with its surroundings, its stark black and white head markings seem vibrant and bright, even in late evening light.

White-Crowned Sparrow eating sunflower seeds © SB 

What is this?  White-Crowned Sparrow 
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: April 27, 2012. 

~~~~~