The last gift to me from my time at the “porcupine bush” was a species I’d never photographed or even seen before – a Fox Sparrow. And yes, that excites me.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago on what may be the last time I try seriously this year to photograph birds at that very productive serviceberry bush next to the stinky dead porcupine I spotted this Fox Sparrow as it landed on some dead brush to the right of the bush. It wasn’t very close to me so this image has been significantly cropped but Fox Sparrows are large for a sparrow and its size helped to give me some reasonably good image quality. It stayed there for some time so I got quite a few shots but it didn’t give me much pose variety so I’m including only a single image as documentation.
Some may think “it’s only a sparrow” but I can’t help but get excited about a lifer and I appreciate sparrows as much as any bird.
One thing confuses me. Fox Sparrows are common, they’re found throughout almost all of North America except for extremes of Northern Canada, coastal Alaska, most of Florida and Mexico and they’re so widespread they’ve evolved into 18 subspecies (18! – can you imagine that?). So why have I never seen or photographed one in my travels over a large swath of the American West during the last 10+ years I’ve been photographing birds??
Birds are funny that way. Perhaps I’ve seen them and just haven’t noticed them or maybe their famously shy nature has something to do with it, I dunno…
How about my readers? Do you see Fox Sparrows commonly, or at all?
Ron
PS – Some may be amused by a stupid mistake I almost made in my title. Last night while I was preparing this post I typed my title as “Fox Squirrel – A Lifer For Me”. I didn’t spot my mistake until this morning just before I published the post. I think it’s funny now but I sure as hell wouldn’t have been amused if I’d published it that way. When I click that “Publish” button the email links, including the title, go out to subscribers instantly and at that point it’s just too darned late to take it back.
Your Slate-colored Fox Sparrow is a summer visitor to Utah. Should be found at higher elevations in ceanothus or wet bloggy situations, brushy forest clearings, etc. Should perhaps be found in same habitats as nesting Lincoln’s Sparrows and Green-tailed Towhees.
Omg. I had to read your typo three times. Still couldn’t see the error. Lol ad to compare it to the actual title to get it. Ha!!!
That truly made me laugh out loud, and just before bedtime too. Thanks for the laugh, Arwen.
Ron, what a nice Fox Sparrow. The ones we see here, rarely now (but once more commonly), in Northern CA in the Sierra are richer in color. Or maybe I’ve only seen the males. I note others mentions color variations. Anyhow, congrats!
Sallie, I believe in this species males are similar to females in all color variations. Thanks for the congrats.
I do love the LBJs. They are often such subtle birds, and beautiful with it. And now you have inspired me to take a closer look at our sparrows.
I’ll bet you have some interesting ones in Oz, EC.
Interesting to read all the comments about this little jewel. I shoot thousands of images, often LBB’s and spend weeks trying to ID them! I was in Park City, Utah all of July and August and tagging along with my hubby when he golfed. I got pics of a bunch of smaller,some colorful birds whiled at ledges golf course IN ST. GEORGE. HOW CAN I attach one pic of them in the bush for you to see?
I’ve emailed you, Linda.
They’re not uncommon here on the Central Coast of CA, but I’ve only seen three or four. I’m sure you agree that the Fox Sparrow is eye-catching…remarkably beautiful due the the contrasty breast markings. And extra special and exciting to see because they are so shy…
I certainly do agree, Susan. I’m sure if I see one again I’ll know it.
Ron:
I see fox sparrows regularly here in St. Louis in the spring and fall. I live near a city park, a migrant trap called Tower Grove Park, and fox sparrows are especially common in the spring. I’ve seen as many as 18 at a time, and I’m sure some people have seen even more. I see the red subspecies. Thanks for posting your photo. I’ve never seen that subspecies, but you never know. As they say, birds wander.
They sure do “wander”, Jack. That’s part of the excitement of both birding and bird photography. Thanks for the report.
To my knowledge, I’ve never seen a fox sparrow, but we all know my ID skills are pretty lousy overall. So the reality is they’ve most likely been hanging out in my field of vision somewhere during multiple times of my life just waiting to be seen (perhaps even at my current feeders), but my brain hasn’t connected the dot. DARGH! On the other hand, fox squirrels have filled my consciousness (and Mariah’s [FRTHA] frequently…LOL!!
I’m not of the it’s-just-a-(fill in the abundant species name here) mindset. Each and every life is special with its own unique and exquisite beauty (excluding many of our politicians, but that’s a whole ‘nother discussion. Like starlings, I’m sure their mother[s] love them.). And I appreciate learning about them here. That most likely qualifies for the new thing I’ll learn today since I’m not getting out much these days. DOUBLE DARGH! Have I mentioned how much I’ve missed your blog/photography recently?
And we missed having you around, Laura. I hope you’re able to get out more very soon.
Yup, see ‘our’ Fox Sparrows about once sometime twice a year. Have some fair images of what is called in the handbooks the Red Group. Your image looks more like the Slate-colored Group. Of course we only see them during migration and the Red group comes down from either Canada or Newfoundland. According to my records they are fairly unpredictable when we might see them, If we have a strong Fall cold front go through we know to be on the look-out, but that is not a sure case. Spring migration is a hit or miss affair.
Nice image by the way and congratulations on a Lifer!
Thanks for that report, Dick. I know you keep pretty close tabs on all the birds you see.
I have never seen a Fox Sparrow that I know of. Based on Sibley’s range maps, they apparently avoid my area of the desert. Maybe we count as being in Mexico? Apparently there have been occasional sightings in surrounding areas, and they are in this part of the country only in winter. Seeing and photographing a new species is always exciting, even when it’s an LBJ (to quote Elephant’s Child). Identifying Sparrows is a difficult task for me, so I’m glad you were able to figure out what you were seeing.
I have a tough time with sparrows too, Susan. Actually it was Mia who ID’d this one.
The fox sparrow (Passerella illiaca) is fairly common around here- Marin County, California – as a bird that leaves in April and returns in September. It’s three weeks early this year, as are poison oak berries, deer in rut. There are 18 recognized subspecies, and our local winter foxies are part of the “Sooty Fox Sparrow” group, dark brown heads and backs, streaked breasts. Congratulations on the lifer!
Everything seems to be happening earlier in the year these days, Martha. That’s alarming…
Congratulations! I see Fox Sparrows regularly in Portland, but almost always on the ground as someone else says , in hedge rows. I sometimes notice the back-kick scratching noise or motion before actually seeing the bird.
I sense that your eyes are more often on the skies or the fence row level. Maybe they are hard to notice from your truck?
I try to spread my attention to all levels and places when I’m looking for birds, Linda. But my eyesight isn’t the best…
A beautiful photo of my favorite sparrow! Fox Sparrows are a winter bird for me, but they are easy to miss. They love thickets and brushy hedgerows, and when they forage they jump forward with both feet and scratch backwards. I’ve only seen them in my yard once in 18 years, during an early March snowstorm, and I was ecstatic! Congrats on the lifer!
That behavior sounds similar to that of our Spotted Towhees, Diane.
I have them at my feeder in winter (Arkansas), don’t see them a lot, maybe due to their shyness. They are striking.
Thanks for that report, Jo.
Hi Ron,
Here in southern OR we see both Slate-colored and Sooty Fox Sparrows on a regular basis in winter. They are not as common as “crowned” sparrows, but are regularly seen at feeders. And, our local (Cascade and Siskiyou) mountains also have Thick-billled Fox Sparrow.😀
Cheers,
Dick
That thick-billed is one I was unaware of, Dick.
Good morning Ron. Very interesting post. Have never seen a Fox Sparrow here in North Central Arizona, but that doesn’t mean they are not here. Was not aware of the four sub species. Sibley’s shows the Sooty Pacific, Thick-billed California, Slate-colored (interior west), and the Red (Taiga). The Slate-colored would appear to be the one most likely to be seen in Utah or here. According to Sibley’s map the Red (Taiga) would be rare in both areas. The neat thing about birds is that they can surprise you. A couple years ago we had a pair of Purple Gallinules in one of our lakes that really surprised and excited all the local birders who rushed over to claim a lifer. For them to be here was extremely rare. Nice photo and always nice to see something new.
Everett Sanborn
Prescott Arizona
Rare or unusual birds to tend to get our juices flowing, don’t they, Everett. Thanks.
Pretty LBJ for sure – couldn’t tell you if I’ve ever seen one but I certainly will watching for them now! 😉 Love the reddish wings/tail contrasting with the more grey front of the bird and speckled breast. Congrats on capturing another “lifer”. Fox Squirrel would have caught my attention for sure if for no other reason than I’m not real “up” on various squirrels (know about a Fox Squirrel now) – cute but nothing I want to contend with in my yard! 😉
Thanks, Judy. Dang, I’m glad I noticed that mistake before it was too late…
We watch the LBJ’s at our feeder hanging under a spruce, just outside our living room window. They are delightful to observe–all 3.1234 million that have taken up residence in that tree. I will check; perhaps they are all Fox Sparrows! I will let you know. 😂
I’ll be interested to know, Kevin. Thanks.
Nice catch and lovely photos. I don’t know if I have seen one, maybe I need to look harder. I do have 2 fox squirrels in my yard. We are not supposed to have those either, but somehow a colony has started in Utah.
April, A very knowledgeable FB friend told me that Fox Squirrels were first seen at City Cemetery about 10 years ago and they’ve been spreading through parts of the valley since then.
You’ve been hitting some lifers lately. Congrats and as Dick would say, VBG! 🙂 That serviceberry bush has certainly been fruitful this season. It was nice you were able to keep Porkie company and make us care about the poor little fella too.
Marty, I sure liked that “poor little fella” better when it stopped stinking! 🙂
What a wonderful image of a Fox Sparrow, Ron. The ones here in New York City are pretty reddish and super easy to spot in the winter. I see them on a regular basis, but they are not as numerous, as other sparrows around here.
Thanks for that feedback, Miriam. Yes, it looks like the colors on the Tiaga variety in the northeast are pretty distinctive compared to ours.
Hi Ron, Your Fox Sparrow is one of my favorite birds as it arrives in spring and fall on its migration and stays only about a week each time. They are lovely harbingers of a new season, poking around in the disappearing (or fresh) snow. Ours on Southern Ontario, are indeed, the Red Taiga and are unmistakable with their color and size.
Congratulations on a lifer. They must be rare because you seem to miss very little in your areas of birding.
Judy
PS A Fox Sparrow title would just have put a smile on our faces and an understanding of why it happened!
Judy, I hope it’s because they’re “rare” in my area and not because I’m too dense to even notice them…
Ha, you might have enjoyed that error if I’d made it but I’d have been squirming for sure…
Great shot of a great LBJ!
I love sparrows and love trying to see all the different species! I have only seen a fox sparrow once a few years ago, when I was a brand new birder and photographer. I managed to get a “lovely” rump, tail and leg shot of him with my Canon sx-50 before he flew into the bushes. I’ll keep that crumby file until I make a better one!!
I often keep similar mediocre shots for the same reason, Joann – just to document that I’ve seen and photographed a species new or unusual for me.
CONGRATS!! How exciting to get alifer.
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. The excitement I feel in getting a lifer is something that always reminds me that no matter how often I try to deny it there really is some “birder” blood in me. 🙂
Congrats on the lifer! 😀 Amazing the difference in the birds regionally! I looked and said ‘wow, that doesn’t look like ours!’ The Fox Sparrows I see here in NE Wisconsin and Michigan are very rusty-red in color with the gray on the head. Those chest spots on ours are very rufous in color. Your bird I think blends in more with the other sparrows because of the more muted coloration. I see them in winter and fall only. They really are noticeable in winter because of their colors and larger size. I really learned something today…thanks for posting this bird! 😊
Kathy, Obviously I don’t know a lot about Fox Sparrows but Sibley devotes two full pages to them because they’re so variable. Ours is apparently the Slate Colored (Interior West) and yours must be the Red (Tiaga).