A Harris's Sparrow about a mile southwest
of Caledonia on the Whetstone River Road, Marion Co.
Associated correspondence
30 Dec. 2000 [from Trella Romaine]
I'm attaching a couple of photos I took at my back door near Caledonia,
Ohio on December 27. I had seen the bird for several days about a week
ago and it was back again on December 26 and 27. I was not familiar was
the Harris' sparrow, but by listing the black streaked cap, the rufous
cheeks, the pinkish bill, the two white areas under the chin divided by
a black V, and then comparing the list to photos in Stokes Bird Book I
believe it to be a Harris' sparrow.- Trella Romaine
RE: [V.Fazio III]
Yes - you have successfully photographed a Harris' Sparrow.
Initially, I had some difficulty ageing the bird but after some research
I can tell you that it is an adult in winter plumage. There is
considerable variation in the plumage not often shown in the
common field guides. The heavy streaking on the sides
at first seemed to indicate an immature bird but I have subsequently
seen examples of the adult plumage with this feature. The black
throat and cap also suggest an adult.
RE:5 January 2001 [Trella Romaine]
I have more sightings, one on January
1 and another on January 4 when I got some good video shots. This is quite a thrill for me. In 60 years of birding this is the first
time I have had first hand experience with a rare one! My first Christmas
Bird counts were with Paul Kuenhle on a Bucyrus area count about 1960. From
this I initiated the Killdeer Plains Count in 1964, and still participate, but
mostly driving now.
The Harris Sparrow seems to appear between 10:00 and 11:00 AM. For about
a week I didn't see him, and then 2 days in a row, and not today. Of course I
can't spend all day watching the feeder area. He feeds on the ground, but
flies into the tree too.
