a committee of the New York State Ornithological Association
Gallery
of New York Rarities
Harris's SparrowText
and photographs by Angus Wilson
Here are five shots of an adult Harris's
Sparrow (Zonotrichia
querula) taken on Sunday 14th March 1999 (Figs 1 and 2)
and on Sunday 11th April 1999 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) from the side
of Wainscot Hollow Road just south of Bridgehampton on the
south fork of Long Island, NY. The bird was discovered the
weekend before in a flock of White-crowned Sparrows (Z.
leucophrys) by Valerie Freer and John Askildsen. This flock
of 10 or so White-crowned Sparrows includes one adult Gambell's
White-crowned Sparrow. The Harris's Sparrow was extremely nervous,
rarely venturing out into the open - hence these very distant
shots.
Figure 1. Rather
fuzzy side view showing the facial pattern and dark spotting
on the flanks. Taken on 3/14/99
Figure 2. Head
on view showing distinctive black bib and bright yellow-orange
bill. Although the feathers of the forehead and crown were
edged in buff, the dark rather than cream colored throat,
suggests this bird is an adult. Taken on 3/14/99
Figure 3. Grainy
shot showing the black facial mask. Taken on 11th April
1999
Figure 4. Viewed
from behind showing rump and side of head and neck. Taken
on 11th April 1999
Figure 5.
Adult White-crowned Sparrow on left and the Harris's Sparrow
on the right. Taken on 11th April 1999are shadows. Note the
dark areas on some of the undertail coverts.
Text
and photographs by Angus Wilson
