Totally captivated in 2007 by the live camera feed of the Hornby Island nesting Bald Eagles in B.C., I was drawn into birding and have never looked back. Thus begins my account of what I'm fortunate enough to discover each day and perhaps capture with my camera.



Unless otherwise stated, all images were taken by and are the property of Janice Melendez

Species Counts:

2014 Final Year List: 255; 2015 Year List a/o June 5, 2015: 235; Life List: 327

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Home Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada!


I recently took everyone's advice for a birdy birthday, and other than the Barred Owl calling just eight minutes shy of the day being over (thanks, Chris, best gift ever!!), this perky White-throated Sparrow entertained me for quite a while near the cottage:





White-throated Sparrows have two colour forms, tan-striped and white-striped, like this beauty:





Their mating pattern is unique in that individuals will almost always mate with a sparrow of the opposite morph:








A touch of brown can be seen on either side of the white stripe on his crown:





Nice views of his wings that are brown with buff edges, as well as two narrow white wing bars, and quite a long tail:








A front view of a clean gray breast contrasted by his white throat, as he sings that "Home Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada" tune that instantly melts our hearts:








And off he goes, reaching for the sky, bye bye!



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