Sparrows are a family of bird that we are all familiar with. In North America, we can blame the non-native Eurasian Sparrow who is a very widespread and invasive bird.
House Sparrow, the Non-Sparrow
This Sparrow is not, in fact, related to our Sparrows. Ours are more related to old world buntings. I am lucky to only have a few visitors every now and then rather than larger numbers that often raid feeders. This invasive bird seems to prefer my neighbors feeders instead!
Now on to the true American Sparrows. You may think that they are just another “little brown job,” but look closely and see that they can be very unique and beautiful. I get three yeah-round residents, the Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.
Song Sparrow in the winter
Song Sparrow in the spring
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow, tan morph
Dark-eyed Junco
The numbers increase greatly during migration, but I get a few who stick around throughout the winter. My other winter sparrow is the American Tree Sparrow who I am still trying to get a good photo of.
American Tree Sparrow on my snow-covered deck
During the summer, my feeders are raided with Chipping Sparrows. They are my one summer-only Sparrow that I have actually seen on my yard. The other two summer sparrows are ones that I heard only from my yard, Field Sparrows and Eastern Towhees.
Chipping Sparrow
The Chipping Sparrows typically come in full force once their young fledge! They are the one sparrow that I get to enjoy watching as they feed their young.
Chipping Sparrow Fledgling
Chipping Sparrow adult feeding young
Other young birds have also found their way to my yard. I did not realize that I had breeding Juncos in my woods until I finally saw some young ones during the summer!
Immature Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco Fledgling
I also spotted young White-throated Sparrows foraging around.
Immature White-throated Sparrow
Along with my more usual visitors already mentioned, I get two types of Sparrows who move through during migration only. This White-throated Sparrow was my first one!
White-crowned Sparrow
And my favorite local sparrow seems to visit once per migration season, the Fox Sparrow.
Fox Sparrow during Fall migration
There are other great local sparrow species that I cannot call yard birds due to their need for specific habitat, but maybe one day they will pass through and I can add them to my growing list.