Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca

 

I found this large dark sparrow today in a dense thicket of Silky Dogwood with many dried native wildflowers mixed in. I could see how it got it’s name with those rich red-brown colors.

Sometimes we see Fox Sparrows under our feeder in the winter. Like the Eastern Towhee they will kick back leaves on the ground to uncover seeds and bugs.

Click to see the full image.