Our juncos have gone north for the summer, but the crowned sparrows have arrived to take their place. Today there were a dozen or so white-crowns in my garden:
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| Adult sparrow, whether male or female, only they know. Not a sage, whatever the sign says, although s/he's wearing a thoughtful look. |
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| They like my flower pots. |
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| Bath time. |
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| "Are you still watching?" |
The few Golden-crowned sparrows are more elusive ...
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| Even a wire fence helps to hide. At least, it confuses the camera. |
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| Caught dashing across the cement, to check out the crumbs from the chickadee feeder. |
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| The eyebrow markings are solid black, without the white stripe of the white-crowned sparrow. |
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| Another pair behind the "fence". |
From Cornell, "All About Birds":
White-crowned Sparrow
Adult:
- Bold black and white head stripes
- Clean gray throat and breast
- Gray face and nape
- Pink or orangish bill
Adult Pacific form has:
- Brown sides and flanks
- Yellowish bill
And,
Golden-crowned sparrow
Adult Description
- Large sparrow, small songbird.
- Yellow crown, bordered by black.
- Gray face and chest.
- White wingbars.
- Back brown with black stripes.
- Long tail.
White crowns arrived here and in Quesnel two days ago. My backyard has just been POPPING. I love it when they stop by!
ReplyDeleteOur Juncos left about a month ago. I miss them. Along with the Chickadees, they kept us company all winter. - Margy
ReplyDeleteThey (the sparrows_ are getting a bit rambunctious, digging up newly-transplanted seedlings and tossing dirt onto the paving stones. I've had to cover my seed trays.
ReplyDeleteBut they're pretty and funny, so we'll cope.