Harris’s Sparrow – November
Harris’s Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula
Content and photos by James Giroux
Weighing in at 1.3 ounces, Harris’s Sparrow is the largest Sparrow in North America – not counting Towhees. Our smallest sparrow – the Chipping – is less than one third the size at .4 ounces! Like many North American birds, Harris’s Sparrow breeds in Canada, and winters in the southern U.S.. But, among the dozens and dozens of species of songbirds that breed in Canada, it is the only one that breeds exclusively in Canada.
Harris’s Sparrow – November
The full adult bird is fairly easy to identify with its black bib and orange-pink bill. The only other bird one might confuse it with would be a male House Sparrow, which also has a black bib. If the two look similar to you, note the different bill color, face pattern and overall color.
Male House Sparrow
The first-winter Harris’s Sparrow can be a little more tricky to identify. The black bib and black crown are not well defined, which might cause some confusion with a Field Sparrow or first-winter White Crowned Sparrow (both of which have an orange/pink bill). But don’t be discouraged, neither of those species has streaks or spotting on the breast, like the Harris’s.
First winter – November
Much like a lion’s mane, the black bib plays an important role when it comes to status and dominance. Males with more black on the bib and face usually dominate when it comes to feeding, and gaining access to the best nest sites. In one study, researchers enhanced the bibs of younger males to mimic those of older birds. The trick worked, and the painted birds received preferential treatment among the other birds with weaker bibs.
While most North American sparrows are widespread east and west across the U.S., Harris’s is restricted to the central plains. Like many central plains species its numbers are declining for a variety of reasons, but primarily due to habitat loss. It nests in remote northern territories of Canada, where it still can get quite cold even in spring and summer. Because their breeding territory is so remote, it was one of the last North American birds to have its nest described. That was less than a hundred years ago, a year before my mother was born, in 1931.
Harris’s Sparrows are not terribly common in the Austin area, but can sometimes be found at Commons Ford Park, and at Platt Lane near Hornsby Bend. I am fortunate to have a reliable winter supply of them at my mother-in-law’s property in Austin county (Bellville) every winter. They readily come to a feeder in her back yard, and I am there almost every Thanksgiving and Christmas sitting in my bird blind happily taking their photographs.
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