Adults have dark-streaked olive-brown upperparts with a light brown breast with fine streaks, a white belly, and a white throat. They have a brown cap with a grey stripe in the middle, olive-brown wings, and a narrow tail. Their face is grey with brown cheeks, a brown line through the eye, and an eye ring. They are somewhat similar in appearance to the song sparrow.
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
The sparrow species derives its name from its colorful repertoire of songs. Enthusiasts report that one of the songs heard often in suburban locations closely resembles the opening four notes of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The male uses a fairly complex song to declare ownership of its territory and attract females.
Singing itself consists of a combination of repeated notes, quickly passing isolated notes, and trills. The songs are very crisp, clear, and precise, making them easily distinguishable by human ears. A particular song is determined not only by pitch and rhythm but also by the timbre of the trills. Although one bird will know many songsβas many as 20 different tunes with as many as 1000 improvised variations on the basic theme, unlike thrushes, the song sparrow usually repeats the same song many times before switching to a different song.
Thanks for the comparison, H.J. It got me to thinking I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Lincoln’s Sparrow sing – I certainly have seen them. I just listened to the song. I’ll try to start training my ears to hear it. π
Two of my favorite sparrows, H.J. Thank you for sharing. I have been seeing them seemingly everywhere lately, I think they had a good year (at least I hope so).
Best wishes,
Tanja
It’s my opinion that the birds of the East had a good year. However, I can’t say the same for the birds of the West. The forest fires, unfortunately have taken many of their lives.
Thank you very much, Tanja. π
I’m afraid you are right, H. J. It’s heartbreaking to think about how many birds and other animals have lost their lives in the fires and other natural disasters. π’
Take care,
Tanja
Is it just me, or does Lincoln’s Sparrow actually resemble the erstwhile US president of the same name? π
Lovely images again, H.J, and I always appreciate the interesting facts you share along with the photo’s.
Very much like seeing these two in one post for comparison! Great shots, HJ!
That’s the idea! People get confused with these two birds. At first look they do resemble each other. Thank you, my friend. π
I am one of the confused. So to date, I haven’t said I’ve captured a Lincoln’s Sparrow, the jury’s still out on that one. π
Sweet little fellow!
Thank you, Mary. π
Thanks for the comparison, H.J. It got me to thinking I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Lincoln’s Sparrow sing – I certainly have seen them. I just listened to the song. I’ll try to start training my ears to hear it. π
Thank you very much, Lisa. π
Two of my favorite sparrows, H.J. Thank you for sharing. I have been seeing them seemingly everywhere lately, I think they had a good year (at least I hope so).
Best wishes,
Tanja
It’s my opinion that the birds of the East had a good year. However, I can’t say the same for the birds of the West. The forest fires, unfortunately have taken many of their lives.
Thank you very much, Tanja. π
I’m afraid you are right, H. J. It’s heartbreaking to think about how many birds and other animals have lost their lives in the fires and other natural disasters. π’
Take care,
Tanja
Is it just me, or does Lincoln’s Sparrow actually resemble the erstwhile US president of the same name? π
Lovely images again, H.J, and I always appreciate the interesting facts you share along with the photo’s.
This bird was named by the famous Audubon after his friend, Thomas Lincoln, of Dennysville, Maine. Thank you, my friend. π