The Sparrows of Treaty Hill (part 1)
LINCOLN’S AND VESPER SPARROWS
(click on photos to enlarge)
Living in the shadow, so to speak, of Treaty Hill (a local name for the hill from which Cochise’s son, Naiche, waved a white flag indicating the signing of the Broken Arrow Peace Treaty), I’m guessing that most of the sparrows I’m now seeing habituate on or near the grassy slopes of this conical hill on the western slope of the Dragoon Mountains. Early morning walks have revealed a lot of sparrow activity in the surrounding grasslands but opportunities for long, leisurely views are almost non-existent. It was definitely time to set up a feeding station near the house. It took only a day or two before the birds found it. Twelve species of sparrows have been observed at the feeding station. Two of them are discussed here.
Most mornings I set up my camera in a garage window which makes a perfect blind to watch and photograph the sparrows and other birds that have been attracted to the seed and water. They are far more interested in the water than the seed right now. In the last post I mentioned the Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) and this morning the count was up to 35 from last week’s high of 18. It’s obvious that we need to put in a more permanent, in-ground watering hole for them as when the “chippies” show up, space at the birdbaths fills up quickly.
Eventually something more secretive will slip in and the first “different” sparrow turned out to be a Lincoln’s.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)
I’ve been thrilled to observe the presence of two Lincoln’s in the early morning hours. They are undaunted by the many Chipping Sparrows, although they sometimes seem to prefer the less-used birdbath next to the clumps of Beargrass (Nolina microcarpa).
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)
Lincoln’s Sparrow contemplating another dip in the pool
Ah, that felt good!
Another more reclusive bird lured in by the prospect of a drink is the Vesper Sparrow. This species is larger than the Chipping Sparrow with a streaked breast and back and conspicuous white eye-ring. This wary bird spends just a few minutes quenching its thirst or a quick bath before ducking back into the grasses.
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)
Note the pale center of the auriculars (cheek patch) framed by darker feathers in the bird below.
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)
Also note the rufous lesser coverts on the shoulders of this bird. This marking is rarely observed as the feathers are not usually exposed, except in flight. The other field mark used to identify this sparrow is the clean white outer tail feathers, most easily observed in flight.
Both the Lincoln’s and the Vesper Sparrows are winter visitors to our area. They move north to nest.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Hi Arlene, this just goes to show that even sparrows are beautiful through the right lens. In fact some of these I have never seen before having spent most of my life on the East Coast of US.
Great Shots of the Sparrows.