When I was a fledgling birder two years ago, I was a little puzzled when a more experienced birder used the term LBJ's. Being a retired history teacher I immediately thought of the former President. The term didn't fit the conversation we had been having about though about birds. Lady Bird Johnson I'm thinking. Not. Not her either. It was Little Brown Jobs. Like sparrows it turned out.
When Mr Chipping Sparrow arrived in my yard in late March that year, it was a first for me. By that I mean my first conscious effort to identify a sparrow as something beyond my previous notion that sparrows were brown little non-descript birds hardly worthy of notice. I noticed him, realized how striking he was and looked forward to the spring migration where I could identify as many sparrows types as possible.
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By May he was Chipping around with a friend. Mr. Indigo BuntingLater, Mr Science (Gary), introduced me to Fox Sparrows. Bold and Bright, they were everywhere in his farmyard.
We hiked down the trail below his house and soon spotted White-Throated Sparrows, then Tree, Field and Song Sparrows.
White Throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Tree Sparrow and a Junco hanging out below my platform feeder
Harris Sparrow
Henslow Sparrow
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There are at least 35 bird species of sparrows in North America. Species of these birds can generally be located in five areas of North America. There are 15 species of sparrows, that can be found in most areas of North America, some more abundant and widespread than others. These are the American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow and the House Sparrow, which is now a common bird, first introduced to a New York City Central Park around 1850.
What an interesting and colorfull collection they make. Coming in a variety of shades and colors they can be found in many differents habitats. A world of birds unto their own. I can see I have my work cut out for me!
I love sparrows.....feed them daily at my wild bird buffet but I am no birder so I don't know what kind mine are.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful.
We see blue birds in our backyard nearly every day. I wonder if they are indigo buntings. I haven't found the time to research them, and they've been too skittish for me to photograph. Sparrows, like other common things, become beautiful once you look at them close-up.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I tried to identify a junco, which was on a feeder right outside the window sill...it took us a couple of days to pin it down. Sheesh..that bird is mostly distinctive.
ReplyDeleteOnce I got a picture of a rose breasted grosbeak and an indigo bunting at the feeder at the same time. What a treat. I don't think I've seen the I. Bunting since, and that must have been 28 years ago. I set up a tripod and a remote camera shutter cord.
This winter we have lots of gold finches at our feeder. They are not as distinct as in summer. I wonder if they were there other years but I just didn't realize it.
I too am amazed at the number of LBJs that are out there. It is fun to identify them. I sit on my backyard patio with binoculars to catch close-up glimpses. LOL - My neighbors probably think I am spying on them.
ReplyDeleteSome have very distinctive markings and I can tell immediately what they are. Others? Whew. Can be quite the challenge! Especially when they flit around as sparrows are prone to do. I'll have to check out that LBJ book!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, but it looks like a redpoll to me. We get them all the time here in Nebraska. Lively little red-headed finch. Love them. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize there were so many sparrows. Nice lesson, TB,..thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe saw almost no sparrows this winter. Don't know why but maybe the feeding was good farther north this winter. I love watching the fox sparrows do their digging dance step, but my favorite is the song sparrow. We have them nesting here most years. They have the loveliest spring song.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Beautiful photographs. I had the same confusion when I first heard about LBJs, and it wasn't all that long ago.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! I have often wondered whether I'm looking at a sparrow or a different bird... I had no idea there were so many different sparrows!
ReplyDeleteI love the little juncos... If for any other reason, I don't mind winter coming so that they will return...
and I it's one thing I do miss about winter.
~Thank you for your visits too!
*Maria
I am very much on the low end of the sparrow learning curve. Shorebirds, too.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this all great fun?
Wow! you're hooked now! Your story is similiar to how I began birding :) You are so lucky to get the variety of Sparrows there. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYou listed some there that I would definitely love to get a look at. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteHenslow's Sparrow is on my "must see" list for 2010.
ReplyDeleteGreat sparrow pics. I like to listen to the song sparrows as they pratice up, get into tune, and develop their voice this time of year. Sort of like adolescent boys whose voices still crack. Even the weedy house sparrows have a certain charm as the chorus returns, chirping for the spring sun.
ReplyDeleteWe use the term for anything we cnnot identify. LOL!! In actual fact it came from the Warbler and Lark Family as it is extremely hard to identify any of them without hearing their call as they all look the same.
ReplyDelete