Name That Winter Sparrow

         Melissa Donahue - Naturalist

Photo by Charlie Curry 

When hiking through a field in the winter have you noticed small birds flitting around?  Do you peer through the brambles to try to figure out what the little brown bird might be?  Often this little brown bird is a sparrow, and sparrows can be hard to identify.  Winter is the best time to see sparrows in Middle Tennessee.  Often found in fields, along the forest edge or sometimes at feeders, we can spot both year-round residents and migrants.  Through close observation you will begin to notice the differences in these little brown birds as they search for seeds.

 

 Field Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman

 The ranks of these small year-round sparrows swell in the winter as short-term migrants join year-round residents. The pink bill and legs are an identifying feature of Field Sparrows.  For further identification look for a gray face, light eye ring, reddish cap, and rusty brown streak behind the eye. The male can be heard singing from late winter to mid-June.  Listen for this song as you drive into the Warner Park Nature Center Parking lot.

  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Field_Sparrow/sounds

 

 Song Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman 

   Behavior helps with identification of this bird.  Watch for it feeding on the ground with a cocked tail and scratching with both feet to expose food.  The Song Sparrow is a winter visitor to parts of Tennessee, year-round in the East.  This sparrow is brown with dark streaks on its back and the breast is white with dark streaking that forms a dark central spot.  The song sparrow’s song lasts for 2 – 4 seconds and can vary greatly from one place to another. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/sounds

Fox Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman

This large Fox Sparrow is a regular but uncommon winter resident.  Seen at feeders as well as foraging in the leaf litter this sparrow is easily recognized by its reddish color.  The sparrow is heavily steaked on the chest with a reddish tail.  On warm winter days this bird sings from a camouflaged post, so you will hear the song before you see the bird. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Fox_Sparrow/sounds

 

White Crowned Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman

This White-crowned Sparrow, another winter visitor that may be seen on the ground below feeders, in grasslands, and in fields.  This bird has an eye-catching crown on the head with two broad black stripes separated by a broad white stripe.  A sparrow with little streaking, it has two white wing-bars and a dark brown tail.   As spring arrives listen for this sweet whistle.

   https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/sounds

                                       White Throated Sparrow – Photo by Charlie Curry

Each October I listen for this call, a distinct Oh Sweet Canada Canada Canada telling me this winter migrant, the White-throated Sparrow, has returned.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/sounds   Arriving in flocks these are the most abundant of Tennessee's wintering sparrows.  Often seen at feeders, this songbird also prefers shrubby edges in areas that facilitate ground foraging for seed.  Look for a sparrow that is brown above and gray below with white throat.  There are two morphs for head coloration, a coloration white crown and a coloration with a tan crown.

Photo by Graham Gerdeman

Want to learn to more about these sparrows and how to better identify them?  Sign up for the Identifying Winter Sparrows Workshop happening this Friday and Saturday! During this workshop, BIRD Program Volunteer Graham Gerdeman, will teach you where to find and how to identify winter sparrows and other winter grassland birds. The workshop will focus on key characteristics, vocalizations, habitat, and behavior that aid in identification. Beginning with a Friday-evening webinar followed by a morning hike you will search the fields and edges of Warner Parks for these often shy, but impressive birds.          

email wpnc@nashville.gov or call 615-862-8555  to register.

Presenters: Graham Gerdeman and BIRD Program Staff