Just this morning I was reminding myself to take a closer look at the sparrows under my feeders. There are always plenty of house sparrows and for the two weeks or so there have been several white-throated sparrows. Yesterday a pair of white-crowned sparrows joined the mix. I had a busy day with doctors appointments and groceries. Molly had a softball game at 4:30 and then we dashed off to find a formal dress for May crowning at school on Friday. Finally at 7:30 I sat down with a bowl of chicken salad and put my feet up. Wait- just take a quick look out back and see who's in the yard. Whoooey! A Harris's sparrow! 
Look at his pink bill and legs.
He's bigger than this white-throated sparrow. In fact the Harris's sparrow is the largest of all of the sparrows.
They nest in northern Canada
and winter in the great plains.
This is one gorgeous sparrow!
Beautiful!
Are you sick of Harris's sparrow pictures yet? I just can't get enough of this bird. The only other time I saw a Harris's sparrow was last year in the same spot. The only picture I got last year was of it's butt. Today was a lucky bird day!Was it a lucky bird day for you?
16 comments:
Lynne, your enthusiasm is contagious! I have seen Harris's sparrows before, and always marveled at the gift of seeing something unusual and different! Sparrows are still kind of a birding frontier for me.
Very cool sparrow, and so close! I don't think I've ever seen one of those. Did you carve it while you were carving the 'wood' duck?
It was a good day for bids here in Massachusetts. I snuck into the woods for breakfast and right away saw a palm warbler and a black & white.
Deb- I really think this guy is a striking bird. I admit I get a little carried away, but I'll never forget the id.
Mojoman- Mwaa-haa!! I think the wood duck looks fake too! Palm warbler would be a lifer for me.
Such a cool bird!! I would LOVE to find one of thes Harris Sparrows under my feeder! Thanks for getting me excited to get out to do more birding and exploring for more birds (and look under my feeder).
May Day must be a magical bird day...I had a good day today, too!
Oh! He's handsome, Lynne!
Spectacular bird! Really unique! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, never have seen one until your blog! Very cool indeed Lynne!
Mon@rch- sometimes my best finds are in the back yard!
Susan- glad it was a good one! :)
LauraH- I think he's handsome too.
Liza- I was thrilled as you can tell...:)
Jayne- I thought he was particularly striking.
Lynne, it would be a lifer for me and I must say it's the prettiest sparrow I've ever seen. Keep showing pictures of the Harris Sparrow - I love them. You did good!
Mine was kind of lucky - show and tell later...
Mary- thanks- I think it's the prettiest sparrow too!
Lucky Ducky! I've not had this bird and there he is in your backyard. Yippee! Now I've got to google him to see what I've been missing and what my chances are of ever seeing one.
I wish I could whip up the same enthusiasm for sparrows as you have. We have plenty of sparrows at our feeder, but they all blur together in my eye. Probably would be a few delightful surprises if I just paid more attention.
Cathy- Isn't he beautiful?
pablo- Last spring was the first time I'd tried to learn sparrow id. On one morning during migration I was able to id Harris', white-throated, white-crowned, chipping, fox, song, and of course the always present house sparrow- all in my backyard.
Boy-would I ever be excited if that bird showed up in my area.-awesome!
Larry- Thanks! I was thrilled. He stayed only 2 days and then left. On his way somewhere else I guess.
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