Tree Sparrow and Garden Birdwatch
Jan 26th, 2008 by Birdy Trish
I’ve seen tree sparrows every day for years now as they gather at my bird feeders, so I know that my bird feeders are useful. I’ve got a photo of a tree sparrow to show you.
The RSPB are hosting a Big Garden and Local Park Birdwatch today and Sunday.
All I have to do is count the number of birds that visit my garden in one hour
I’m going to birdwatch for one hour on Sunday morning and fill in the Birdwatch form. I’ll go outside and fill up all the bird feeders. then I’ll get my breakfast ready with a cup of tea. Get a comfy chair at my kitchen window and count the birds for an hour. Sounds OK to me.
I just know I’m going to see a tree sparrow when I’m doing the Garden Birdwatch so thought I’d put a photo here today.
Sometimes I find it hard to see the difference between a tree sparrow and a house sparrow. Often I can’t tell because they seem to intermingle in groups and flit about so quickly. Why don’t they just sit still for two minutes and pose for me so I can get a good photo of them all!
Voice sounds chup chup and also teck-teck
Some of the differences between a house sparrow and a tree sparrow are -
The tree sparrow has:
- a dark crown
- a small black bib under the beak
- white half collar at the bottom of the brown crown - it can be seen from a distance
- Never any white above the eyes
- black spot on it’s cheek (this is usually the way I identify a tree sparrow)
The tree sparrow is 13.5 - 14.5 cm (5 1/2 to 6 in)
Look at the photo below and you’ll see what I mean -
How to take part in the Big Garden and Local Park Birdwatch
Tags: house-sparrow, RSPB, tree-sparrow
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