Wintering Field Sparrows

 

                                                Field Sparrow  [Bev Schneider Photo]

In late March it was reported that friends in Mactaquac had Field Sparrows coming to their feeders.  Early photos of these birds had been posted on birders' media and had caused some confusion about identification.  It was requested that I go and try to get better photos of these birds.  According to the home owners, there originally were 3 individuals of the same species feeding regularly all winter.  At the time of my visits there were only 2 individuals.

On March 31, 2023, it was a raw winter day, windy and cold.  I stood hidden in the bushes at the back of the house waiting for the Field Sparrows to appear.  They regularly fed on the ground about 10 metres from where I was hidden.  I must have been well camouflaged because a Song Sparrow appeared from under the porch and started singing from a bush no more than 3 metres from me.  That was a treat!  The crows and jays were very active in the many trees in the area and along the river which was close.  I could hear Evening Grosbeaks and for a considerable time the flock came in to feed.  About 45 birds were in the trees and on the ground.  Mainly they were excited about their spring song which sounded so good to my winter ears.  

At one point a lone sparrow made a streak from under the porch, into a nearby bush  and then disappeared.  All became quiet again.  Soon the reason became very evident.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in and perched within 5 to 6 metres of me.  He, too, did not know I was there.  That surprised me.  After it left unsuccessful in its hunt, things slowly returned to the normal chatter and activity.  

                                        Sharp-Shinned Hawk [Bev Schneider Photo]

Now, I was sure where the sparrows were spending their time.  The porch was elevated about 2 to 3 metres and enclosed underneath with rick-rack.  The Song Sparrow had come from there and returned at least twice in the 30 minutes or more I had stood there.  Eventually it was from there that the Field Sparrow emerged.  

                                                Field Sparrow  [Bev Schneider Photo]

My target species had now appeared and it was very wary.  I found that interesting since the Song Sparrow was so unaware.  It gave me only seconds to get a photo.  A few quick photos of a moving bird on two occasions was all it offered me.  As you can see above and below, these are all my P900 could manage that day.  Never-the-less, the photos are enough to confirm the identity of these visiting winter sparrows.  I do not know if I have photos of one individual or both.  

Let us review the field marks of this species so we can rule out the earlier proposed identity as a Clay-colored Sparrow.  The sparrow I was seeing had a definite white eyering, a long tail, a pink bill and pink legs.  Its breast was a clear light gray with no streaks.  The back was striped, there was rufous on the crown and behind the eye.  There was also rufous on the nape.  Those field marks make it a Field Sparrow.  I was able to rule out Clay-colored Sparrow based on these features but carefully checked the nape as well.  In the Clay-colored Sparrow the nape is gray.  This bird showed some rufous on the nape.

The other rule outs are Chipping Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow.  The Chipping Sparrow has a black line behind the eye and a shorter tail.  The American Tree Sparrow has a bicoloured bill and a dark spot in the middle of its breast.   The bird in question was definitely neither of these species.  

                                Field Sparrow Showing Rufous on Nape [Bev Schneider Photo]

                Field Sparrow Showing Rufous Behind Eye and Pink Bill [Bev Schneider Photo]

See below for an excellent photo of a Field Sparrow taken by Jim Carroll.  I believe that photo was taken in the fall.  Note how much more rufous this individual looks in fall plumage.  The white eyering is very prominent and see the buffy-orange on the sides and breast.  Also note the lack of streaks on the breast.

                                            Field Sparrow [Jim Carroll Photo]

Field Sparrows are a rare migrant to New Brunswick.  A few have been found here in summer but it is very rare in winter.  To have 3 of them overwintering is very rare.  Thank you to the home owners for keeping the survivors fed throughout the winter.  It is the appearance of rare species like this that keeps birding so interesting.