White-throated Sparrow

in #birding5 years ago

WTSP_6445 Easterday Road 2-3-2019.JPG
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

Today I once again went to the bird feeding station at the end of Easterday Road at the very southern corner of Pierce County where for the last few winters White-throated Sparrow(s) have been regular. In Washington we see two Zonotrichia sparrows regularly, White-crowned Sparrow and Golden-crowned Sparrow. White-throated Sparrow is the common sparrow in this genus in the eastern U.S., but is uncommon in much of the west.

WCSP_2642.JPG
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows are fairly similar, but with a good look it is not difficult to tell them apart. The WTSP has a well defined white throat, with a dark inferior border, and with a good look you can see a yellow spot in the lores, the area just in front of the eye.

GCSP_3800.JPG
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla

Today the feeders were active, and withing a couple of minutes I saw a tan-striped morph White-throated Sparrow. It ducked in and out, and I couldn't get a decent photo, but a minute later a bright white-striped morph showed up, and I managed this poor-quality photo.

I am feeling really good about my start to the year in birding Washington, with 164 species so far, and in Pierce County with 119 species.
Good birding. Steem on!

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thank you for the information, good pictures

Looks like a bird from the game "angry birds" haha! Btw, whats up with that orange line in the first picture/?

The orange line is a plastic post in the yard by the feeder. The feeder is in a private driveway, so I don't get out of the car to better frame a photo there, trying to be at least a little respectful of the owner's privacy. Good question though.

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