This is probably my favorite migrating sparrow. With its quirky appearance and curious behaviour, this bird really won our hearts. Before we knew its name, we called it a "Bearded Mohawk".
Last two springs we had them off and on from mid- March to early May. In the fall, we only see a handful for a couple weeks. Yesterday we had our first of the season. Already. It was an immature bird with its gape flanges still showing. So will this mean we'll have greater numbers this fall? I hope so.
Updated 2-2016 to share this:
The birds arrived this October, but they hung out in the prairie-to-be for awhile before coming to the feeding area. And they haven't left yet! This is the first winter we had them stay. They like the white millet and black o... read moreil sunflower seeds. We have seen anywhere from two up to nine in a day. Currently, we have no adults, just the immature. To tell them apart, look at the throat. This will be a solid black in the adults, but the young just have an outline of black.
Chillybean
Last two springs we had them off and on from mid- March to early May. In the fall, we only see a handful for a couple weeks. Yesterday we had our first of the season. Already. It was an immature bird with its gape flanges still showing. So will this mean we'll have greater numbers this fall? I hope so.
Updated 2-2016 to share this:
The birds arrived this October, but they hung out in the prairie-to-be for awhile before coming to the feeding area. And they haven't left yet! This is the first winter we had them stay. They like the white millet and black o... read more