Sparrows! Part1

Ok, so I know I promised some sparrow ID challenges before our adventure to Washington on the Brazos this weekend, but before I get to that, I wanted to cover some of the basics about sparrows.

Despite their reputation for being boring, drab, brown stinkers that all look the same, sparrows have a fantastic variety of earth-tones and patterns. As a matter of fact, we should be excited for sparrows!

• No one ever got warbler neck from looking at sparrows all day

• Sparrows are our hearty winter buddies- they don’t go on vacation to the tropics when the weather cools down - they come and visit us!

• Gives you a better appreciation for all of the different shades of brown

• Makes you think about patterns, not just splotches of color

• They aren’t gaudy, like warblers

• At least they aren’t gulls!

Factors to consider when looking at a little brown job:

Habitat: Where are you? In a field? Near a swamp? Your suburban backyard? Your location can help narrow down the likely suspects.

Markings: Streaky or plain chest? Eye-line? Eye-ring? Crown? Cheek color or malar stripe? Any color on the lores? What about the color of bill and legs?

Behavior: Is it foraging along the ground? Is it in a big flock? Hopping or running? Does it flush to a tree branch or brush? Or does it duck into clumps of grass after it flies?

For the purpose of this crash course, we will stick with the Central Brazos Valley and we’ll talk

primarily about the sparrows we find here in winter. I’ve omitted some of the more vexing or less

common species in favor of ones you are more likely to bump into while walking through a park

or driving through an agricultural area.

The list: Chipping, Savannah, Field, Song, Swamp, Lincoln's, White-throated, White-crowned, Vesper, and Lark

That's 10! That's not too many to learn at once! And this will give you the vast majority of sparrows lurking around our area. Heck, once you get out there and start looking, you may even spot a Fox, Harris's, Grasshopper, Le Conte's or Henslow's sparrow. You may not know these others right away, but you'll know that it's not one of the 10 you already know!

So let’s start with HABITAT

In the same way big pickup trucks live in the country, while little tiny cars live in the city, different types of sparrows live in different types of environments. Some tolerate the city, with all of its noise, lights and traffic, while others prefer the quiet solitude of a county road and grassy fields. Others like reedy marshes! I couldn’t think of a car that likes reedy marshes, so just pretend the analogy still works.

Living in Texas, we also know that we’re pretty likely to see a pickup truck somewhere in downtown Houston. And you could also see a Smart Car cruising out on a country lane, but you almost certainly won't see a Ferrari our there. These habitat guidelines are instructive, but not absolutes. Keep in mind where you are- and what features are close by (creek, river, lake, road, fence line, tree line) can point you in the right direction- or at least start eliminating some candidate LBJs.

- On a country road? With a fence line or brush pile? Vesper, Lark, White-crowned

- In a suburban park with woods and a reedy pond? Chipping, White-throated, Song, Swamp, Lincoln's, Field

- Marshy, boggy mess? Song, Swamp, Lincoln's

- Anywhere in Brazos Valley (including the above listed places?)? Savannah

Lots of habitats overlap and have small niches tucked into the corner of a property. Make sure you look at what's around you to get a general sense of what to expect.

Thus endeth Sparrows! Part1. I'll get to the next two topics (Markings and Behavior) in a little. Grab

your guide books and start reading!

Further resources: All About Birds, Great Backyard Bird Count, Project Feeder Watch