Harris's sparrow is the largest sparrow in North America (if one excludes towhees) but has a very restricted range. After breeding in the stunted boreal forest of north-central Canada, they migrate to the Central and Southern Plains of the U.S. for the winter. The width of that winter range extends from the Front Range urban corridor of Colorado to central Missouri, the two locations in which I have now observed them.
During the winter months, they are best found in brushy areas or open woodlands; on the Great Plains, such habitat is best found along and near stream corridors. While they feast on insects during the Arctic summer, they switch to a diet of berries and seeds during the colder months.
The plumage of Harris' sparrows varies with both maturity and the seasons but their large size, long tail, black cap and bright white breast are consistent field marks. Though fairly common across the heart of the Plains, they are rarely observed near the margins of their range. I was very fortunate to have encountered one yesterday at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (my first in Missouri).
