[cobirds] Field Sparrow, SW Denver, Denver Co.

<Delayed my post a bit as the sparrow hasn’t resurfaced yet, and Allison’s tribute to Joe trumps any bird sighting – have a read>

 

Now some of y’all might be thinking that I’m just starting to make s#!% up, but just (Fri., 27 Nov’20) had a FIELD SPARROW show up at our feeders in Southwest Denver (Athmar Park neighborhood, SW Denver, Denver Co.).  Definitely threw me as it was feeding in the tray feeder, and initially suspected American Tree Sparrow on first glance given its Spizella size, shape, and general coloration, but once I grabbed my binoculars had yet another WTF experience this week.  Small, long tailed Spizella, with a plain grey face except for a faint rusty auricular spot, noticeable white eyering, greyish-rusty crown with paler median, and fully pink bill and pink legs; flanks and breast were a soft buffy-white.

 

I guess spending as much time at home as we have been lately, and paying attention out the windows, is paying off.  This guy (or gal) is the third Yard Bird in a little over a week.  The HARRIS’S SPARROW that showed up last week was still around this morning, but haven’t noticed the Redpoll from Tuesday yet today (here through yesterday).  If anybody is interested in chasing any of these birds, please let me know separately.  The Field Sparrow was fleeting and attempts to relocate haven’t been fruitful, the Harris’s is a bit more reliable, but not here constantly, and as mentioned, haven’t seen the Redpoll today.

 

Good (Home) Birding,

Doug

Denver

 

27 November 2020  Athmar Park Neighborhood, Denver, Denver Co., CO

Cackling Goose – 10 “Richardson’s”

Canada Goose – 15

Rock Pigeon - 20

Eurasian Collared-Dove – 3

Ring-billed Gull - 3

Red-tailed Hawk – 1 ad

Northern Flicker – 4 “Red-shafted”

Blue Jay – 4

Black-billed Magpie – 1

American Crow – 10

Black-capped Chickadee – 5

Mountain Chickadee – 2

Red-breasted Nuthatch – 1

White-breasted Nuthatch – 1

European Starling – 5

Townsend’s Solitaire – 1 hv

American Robin - 6

House Sparrow – 12

House Finch – 10

Pine Siskin – 3

FIELD SPARROW – 1

Dark-eyed Junco – 5 “Slate-colored”

-        10 “Oregon”

-        4 “Pink-sdied”

-        1 “Grey-headed”

HARRIS’S SPARROW – 1 imm

Spotted Towhee – 1 m