First time we've seen this species of a common bird for our area in our yard 1st photo

[Omaha Steve]

We got here in November 06. So new sightings for us are rare.

I looked up during dinner and saw the pair of them. Got the camera. Not a great photo, but it was enough to identify them. We hope to have some better ones over the weekend.


Harris's Sparrow: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/harriss-sparrow

Audubon photo for comparison.



Our yard 1/2 hour ago.

[tabasco]

1. Looks like you got you some Harris's sparrows there, my friend.

Good birding!

[Xipe Totec]

4. African, or European?

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Where'd you get the coconuts?

King Arthur: We found them.

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Found them? In Mercia? The coconut's tropical!

King Arthur: What do you mean?

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Well, this is a temperate zone

King Arthur: The swallow may fly south with the sun or the house martin or the plover may seek warmer climes in winter, yet these are not strangers to our land?

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

King Arthur: Not at all. They could be carried.

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: What? A swallow carrying a coconut?

King Arthur: It could grip it by the husk!

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut.

King Arthur: Well, it doesn't matter. Will you go and tell your master that Arthur from the Court of Camelot is here?

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Listen. In order to maintain air-speed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right?

King Arthur: Please!

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Am I right?

[Omaha Steve]

5. Two vids

[ybbor]

17. Love this! ^^^^

[ybbor]

19. Similar but different

From what I've heard the bird is the word. At least that's what Peter says.

[link:http://viewpure.com/2WNrx2jq184?start=0&end=0|

[ybbor]

18. Bless you!

[postulater]

2. Nice bird.

Thanks for the picture. I've never seen one though I know they are here in Wisconsin.

What? No snow there?

[Omaha Steve]

16. Plenty of snow

The area under the feeders is bare because of the birds scratching around for seeds. There is much more snow in the front than the back.

It will be below zero tomorrow night. They will be eating like crazy Sunday and Monday to stay warm. Great time to watch them.

[elleng]

3. VERY nice,

and exciting, Steve!

I've got swans on the creek!

[Omaha Steve]

9. Got a camera phone?

OS

[elleng]

10. No, but have a camera!

[Omaha Steve]

12. Beautiful

Thanks for sharing.

OS

[malaise]

6. Lovely

Thanks

[femmocrat]

7. I'm impressed that you can identify it.

I have trouble with all the different sparrows. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out the markings.

[malokvale77]

8. Beautiful.

I have seen a different variety of sparrow here this year. I haven't been able to get a good enough pic to identify it.

I enjoy them anyway.

Thanks Steve.

[Jnclr89]

11. I love birds!

Thanks for the photos. Nice!

[Donkees]

13. Good camouflage in second photo...

We have different sparrow varieties in the north-east.

Something that *I've* never seen before last week, was what seemed like hundreds of robins landing in bare trees. So much red they resembled blossoms.

[femmocrat]

14. Robins!

Where did you see them (you don't have to be specific)? I wonder if the mild December has them all confused! Or could they be Canadians heading home early?
We never see them in PA before the beginning of March.

[Donkees]

15. Robins....east of you

They winter here, even in the harshest polar vortex weather. Some of them come by for the peanut butter sandwiches and homemade suet.

[Omaha Steve]

21. We had a couple that are almost year round robins

Had them a couple years now. We still had several at Christmas after to good snow falls. Since it got cold a week ago (currently -5 here) we haven't seen them.

Birds eat more as the temps drop to stay warm. We expect to use 3 times as much seed and bread the next couple days. Both heated baths are open water.


We are under a wind chill warning: http://www.omaha.com/weather/frigid-forecast-windchill-may-drop-to-double-digit-below-zero/article_f10ee012-bcb9-11e5-a1f5-ab74583c7f2b.html

The most dangerous wind chills, though, will occur Sunday morning as people head to breakfast and church services.

Wind chills are expected to bottom out between 20 and 25 degrees below zero around 8 a.m. Sunday and then slowly improve. Actual temperature was expected to drop to just below zero for the morning low.

"It's not going to feel that good Sunday morning," said Josh Boustead, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley. "The worst will be between 8 and 10 (a.m.)"

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for Omaha for 4 a.m. to noon on Sunday because of the potential for frostbite.

OS

[femmocrat]

22. That weather is headed our way. :brrr:

I have stocked up on sunflower seeds for the cardinals and thistle for the finches. I expect our feeders to be very busy!

It's strange about robins. I never know when I have seen the last one. They are here one day and then ... they are just gone. I am eagerly awaiting their return in March. I love to see them busily collecting materials for their nests.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. Apart from pigeons and doves most of the birds here in Vegas are basic black....

You have to look close for slight variations. Things like white tips on the tail or a reddish hue to the collar or belly. Some are seed eaters and some snack on bugs. The bird bath has become a regular stop for some.