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Melospiza melodia
A rich, russet-and-gray bird with bold streaks down its white chest, the Song Sparrows are medium-sized and fairly bulky sparrows. For a sparrow, the bill is short and stout and the head fairly rounded. The tail is long and rounded, and the wings are broad. Song Sparrows are streaky and brown with thick streaks on a white chest and flanks. On a closer look, the head is an attractive mix of warm red-brown and slaty gray, though these shades, as well as the amount of streaking, vary extensively across North America. Song Sparrows flit through dense, low vegetation or low branches, occasionally moving onto open ground after food. Flights are short and fluttering, with a characteristic downward pumping of the tail. Male Song Sparrows sing from exposed perches such as small trees.
Meadow close to Williamsport Lake.
2 Comments
Thanks Maria! It made a change to find such a cooperative model! It hung around in the open for a full minute - so unusual for these little guys!
especially like photo 4 looking straight at the camera