There are a lot of sparrow species in Western Canada

I photographed these sparrows this year (except for the Lincoln's sparrow).

Small brownish birds are often characterized as sparrows, and while that may be true, the sheer number of sparrow species is overwhelming.  There are about 25 species of sparrow that call Canada home on a regular basis.  Some, such as the house sparrow, are not native to the continent, nor do they belong to the same family of birds.  Then there are the sparrows that do not have the word "sparrow" in their names.  These include species such as juncos and towhees.  I have photographed both dark-eyed juncos and spotted towhees.

I have also photographed white-crowned sparrows, black-throated sparrows, and golden-crowned sparrows.  I have never seen white-throated sparrows, although they are relatively common.  Sparrow species I have never seen include the grasshopper sparrow, Harris' sparrow, Baird's sparrow, and almost a dozen more.  

My point in these thoughts is that it is easy to see a small, brown bird and dismiss it as just another sparrow.  For example, song sparrows are found all over North America; I have written on the numerous variants I have seen throughout my travels (click here).  It is easy to see a flash of brown feathers and dismiss it as yet another song sparrow.  One of the ways to help identify a particular species of sparrow is to listen to their song.  I don't have an ear for distinguishing bird song, but at least I have figured out what a song sparrow sounds like.  

If you are interested in birding, take the time to identify what species of sparrow you have just seen.  It may indeed be "Just another song sparrow."  However, with the huge variety of passerines out there, it is well worth your while to check.  You just may be surprised.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Harjit Bahia - Science teacher and colleague from Garibaldi died August 2, 2024

Image
You will be missed Mr. Bahia.  You made a difference and we are sad you are gone. I keep in loose contact with my fellow retired teachers from Garibaldi Secondary School.  I talked with my long-time friend, Mike Lynch, today, and discovered that Hargit died over the summer.  Unbeknownst to him, he had an underlying heart condition and passed away after working out on his treadmill.  The date was August 2, 2024. I was shocked to hear this.  He was only 49 years old, turning 50 some 3 months later.  It was a shock to everyone, for he was loved by all who knew him.  As a teacher, Mr. Bahia was kind and fun.  He contributed to students in many ways and was always available to help those in need.   For myself, I knew him as a fellow science teacher and taught in the adjoining room to him.  He was always available to help, share ideas, and work together.  Easy to approach, I found that I could talk to him about anything and appreciat...
Read more

My longsuffering search for the Western Meadowlark

Image
Am I going to disturb a species I am photographing enough to negatively affect its relationship with the ecosystem?  This is an important ethical question that needs to be asked when looking to photograph a particular species.  And it's one that I don't think we do nearly often enough. I recognize the desire to capture remarkable images; I have been in search of premium photos the bulk of my adult life.  There is the personal connection - just the joy associated with doing something well and the praise we seek when others recognize it.  There is the professional connection - doing something as part of a job, assignment, or class.  Then there is the financial connection - the hope to win a contest, publish an image, or sell prints.   These are all worthy goals in their own right, but none of them should be the reason behind disturbing a species, especially ones that are endangered or are at a critical period in their life cycle.  Essentially it boi...
Read more

The hard workers aboard the Ruby Princess

Image
A worker cleaning the Grand Hall at 3:00 in the morning I salute the hard working men and women of the cruise line industry.  They come from all over the world, each one looking to find work, possibly a career, and to help both themselves and their families have better lives.  It isn't easy, and many have to work long hours and are isolated from the passengers and passenger-areas aboard the ships.  They don't partake of the luxuries experienced by the guests and have a limited amount of free time.  But most of them wouldn't trade it for any other job they have ever had. I was photographing the Grand Hall aboard the Ruby Princess early in the morning before the place was crowded with guests.  While there, I met a gentleman cleaning floors and took some shots of him, asking permission first.  I also got quite a few photos of the hall itself without people; I used my 14-30 mm ultra-wide angle lens on a full-frame camera to get the three-story plaza in my viewf...
Read more