Over the past few days, I have encountered winter sparrows in our yard and at local nature preserves. Migrating in response to the solar cycle, they pay little attention to the gyrations in weather that often characterize a Midwestern autumn and, as natives of Canada, they are well equipped to deal with harsh conditions.
White-throated sparrows and dark-eyed juncos tend to be the most common winter sparrows in suburban areas while white-crowned, swamp and American tree sparrows prefer more rural habitats. All of these species are relatively easy to identify (with a bit of practice) but their attraction to tall grass and thickets can pose a challenge for all birders. Then there are the permanent residents (house, field, savanna and song sparrows) and the relatively uncommon winter species (fox and Harris' sparrows, for example) that mingle with the new arrivals and further complicate identification efforts.
An avid birder for more than forty years, I still find sparrows to be the most difficult species to distinguish in the field. Nevertheless, I welcome the arrival of our winter sparrows and admire their willingness to spend the dark, quiet season in the less-than-balmy Heartland.
