The Chipping Sparrow is a regular visitor to our Aldea backyard this spring. I was only seeing one solitary loner up until today when a pair frequented the yard on and off all day. I hope they will be nesting nearby as I love the rusty-brown with gray overall coloration in the mix of all the birds that have been zooming around here this spring.
The head cap is rufous, nape is gray, throat is white, and face stripes are black with white, but not as graphically striking as a Lark Sparrow, but perhaps the Chipping Sparrow embodies a sense of visual refinement (to me anyway) that the Lark Sparrow lacks.
The Chipping Sparrow is found in most of North America in the summer, but migrates to the very southern parts of the U.S. and throughout most of Mexico in winter. It is here in Aldea in the summer for breeding. Both the Lark Sparrow and the Chipping Sparrow have been in our yard this April. Along with many White-crowned Sparrows. It's kind of been like a sparrow convention this April.
The particular Chipping Sparrow photographed below is in our Aldea backyard most mornings just outside the kitchen window foraging for small insects. Great for getting some clear photos of what the actually look like. I learn a lot from this photos as I hope you readers all do as well.
Chipping Sparrows build nests so flimsy you can see light right through them. A group of Chipping Sparrows are collectively known as a “tournament” of sparrows.
Click on photos to enlarge.
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