White-throated Sparrow arrives

Photos by BarrytheBirder

MWhite-crowned SparrowM

Zonotrichia leucophrys

Four of these delightful creatures arrived in the backyard today, seemingly right on time despite the weird weather we have had this spring.   The Royal Ontario Museum Field Guide to the Birds of Ontario has this to say about the behaviour of the White-throated Sparrow: "Hops along ground while foraging.   Kicks leaf litter with two feet simultaneously.   Runs mouse-like into cover when disturbed".   The male and female look alike but it is usually only the male that sings.   The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds says much of what we know about the physiology of bird migration has been learned from laboratory experiments with this species. 

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BtheB