The tutor shares another backyard identification.

If a person isn’t looking closely, a white-crowned sparrow is easy to miss, even in the yard. They forage on the ground, but can seem from a distance to be dull-colored and “just another bird”.

In fact, the white-crowned sparrow has a distinct song, but I don’t notice that it sings when it’s on the ground. You hear this arresting call, but can’t necessarily tell whence it came.

With the binoculars I identified a white-crowned sparrow last week. Only through them could I see the four distinct black stripes along its face and head, separated by glossy white. The white crown is unmistakable. The body is olive or brown, with black spots on the wings.

White-crowned sparrows are very common on the west coast; I’ve just never noticed one before. I’ll be sharing more of my backyard discoveries in future posts:)

Source:

Robbins, Chandler S., et al. Birds of North America: A Field Guide to Identification.
  New York: Golden Press, 1966.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.