Sparrows, those little brown birds that drive so many casual bird watchers crazy, are nevertheless one of my bird favorite families, and California provided many opportunities to enjoy "different" sparrows.
Golden-crowned Sparrow is a far west species. Adult breeding is distinctive; adult nonbreeding somewhat less so ...
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| Golden-crowned Sparrow |
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| Golden-crowned Sparrow |
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| Golden-crowned Sparrow |
Fox Sparrow may be my favorite sparrow. At home in Vermont, it is a Spring and Fall transient, although one has spent most of this winter visiting my feeders. It was a prime example of the "Red" or "Taiga" subspecies.
It was a delight to see this favored sparrow in California.
Fox Sparrow ...
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| Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored?) |
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| Fox Sparrow (Sooty/Pacific?) |
Dark-eyed Juncos are common across the continent, though they give several variations in the west. I thought this "Oregon" Junco was particularly handsome ...
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| Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) |
Blackbirds tend to be an overlooked part of any landscape, which is too bad, because their iridescence can be stunning, and occasionally there are differences that should be noted, as in this
Brewer's Blackbird ...
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| Brewer's Blackbird |
In addition to being a
"Bi-colored" Red-winged Blackbird, the manner of feeding with drooped wings was one that I have not noted in the eastern birds. I will watch more closely this year ...
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| "Bi-colored" Red-winged Blackbird |
Good Birding !!
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