White-throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow, Beaverton, Oregon, 16 December 2011 by Greg Gillson.

 

Finding a White-throated Sparrow at my feeder is always a delight. But three? That's special! A tan-striped adult has been present since November, and this white-striped adult for a couple of weeks. Then these two and a streaky immature bird were all together feeding on the ground in late December!

And there's nothing remarkable about our tiny yard in suburban Beaverton, Oregon. In fact, I wouldn't think it worthy of the special birds I've seen this and last winter.

Here are the White-throated Sparrow records in eBird from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. They show, that when seen, the average is only one-and-a-quarter birds. And they are only found on less of 3% of all checklists, fall through spring.

I discussed this species in a previous post this spring when one of these birds graced my feeders back then.

Friday Foto: White-throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow, Beaverton, Oregon, 19 February 2011 by Greg Gillson.

 

A bird at my feeder. Taken through the window, looking down on the bird, so not good technique or style. But it is my best photo of this species so far.

White-throated Sparrows are regular, but rather scarce in the Pacific NW. They nest across Canada, from NE British Columbia eastward and in the US around the Great Lakes an NE states to New York. Primarily they migrate east of the Rocky Mountains, but some winter and migrate through the Pacific NW. They often show up at feeders.

Though similar to the more common White-crowned Sparrow, they are brighter on the back, with bright rusty wing edges--so often stand out as different. They sing in migration (sometimes in winter, too) and are quite loud.