Tweeters,

I have what I believe to be a first winter HARRIS'S SPARROW feeding with a
plethora of usual sparrows (Golden-crowned, White-crowned, Fox, Song,
Lincoln's, etc.) in my back yard.



I first noticed an out-of-the-ordinary sparrow this morning: large size;
really white undersides (compared with other sparrows); small dark mottling
on chest; what I'd call an "auricular" darker spot; and really large orange
or dark yellow bill (both upper and lower mandibles). In addition, after
scoping it with my bigger glass, I distinctly saw what I'd call striations
of dark and light on the crown.



I'm certainly open to someone checking this out to confirm the ID. (Not
today, though - heading out to dinner late this afternoon.)



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com