[Douglbirds] A singing and elusive Harris's Sparrow

[ouzels8]

Through the winter, a Harris's Sparrow has dropped in with a big flock of juncos, to feed on millet that we throw on the ground. We've seen the sparrow only sporadically perhaps ten times, and never for longer than five minutes. Generally it shows up during bad weather.

Yesterday Urling heard strange sounds coming from a patch of scrub oak below the house. The singer included clear whistles, some chatters, and some odd clucking sounds. After 15 minutes of peering into the oak patch, we finally saw a Harris's Sparrow flip up towards the top of the patch for a 10-second exhibition, then disappear.

We may have had two different Harris's coming in to feed, because they look scruffy in different ways. We haven't detected them away from the millet except for yesterday's singing.

This fits in well, however with our House Finches. All winter, we have seen no more than ten House Finches at our feeders. Frequently on our afternoon walks, however, in a big brush patch 200 yards below the house, we see 75-100 House Finches. 

Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO 
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