I took this image of two Field Sparrows at the end of June. I'm writing about them now because these sparrows seem to be "popping up" everywhere I go. Okay, I may be exaggerating . . . "everywhere" is actually just along the fence where Bridget (my black lab) and I walk to head out the back gate for a romp up on the pasture.
Every morning now for a week, a collection of Field Sparrows (3, 4, 5 or more) fly up from the high grasses and goldenrod to perch momentarily on the fence rail. (Did you know that a group of Field Sparrows is called "crue"? I didn't until just a moment ago.) As Bridget and I approach, they fly up and away to land just a bit farther along the fence. Then as we get closer, they again flit up and away but not too far. I was beginning to think we were getting some kind of royal treatment, preceded on our walks by a festive retinue of attentive sparrows.
Turns out, according to Whatbird.com, this behavior is typical of Field Sparrows. More specifically, the site says:
"The Field Sparrow when frightened does not retreat to the cover of foliage, as does the Song Sparrow, but flies to an exposed position on top of bush or low tree, where it can watch and await developments."
Find out more about the Field Sparrow at the Whatbird.com site below. (It provides both a color illustration and a beautiful photo). When you take an interest in birds, there's always something new to learn.
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/210/_/Field_Sparrow.aspx
Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!
Georgia Anne
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