Fox Sparrow

Color of fallen leaves...

The layer of brown leaves in my garden shelters many lives. A world of tiny animals (invertebrates) winter there, creatures with six legs, or dozens, or no legs at all.

Now, at the end of winter, Fox Sparrows are migrating to northern Canada or Alaska. Those small things in the leaves are exactly what they need to refuel.

In March I usually see my first Fox Sparrow. Working its way through the fallen leaves, it jumps forward, kicking both feet ahead at once. Then at blur speed it jumps back again, scratching the leaves away. Into the space newly opened, the bird pecks at something. Swallows it. I wonder how many legs it had.

Fox Sparrows show up in every state and province of North America at some time of the year. Most of the Fox Sparrows I see in Iowa winter in the southeast. A few actually stay here in Iowa woodlands all winter, out of sight.

When it’s time to nest, the Fox Sparrows go north. By May they are gone. I won’t see them again until fall, on their return trip south.

Fox Sparrow has a reddish rump and chevrons (arrowheads) on its breast

The Fox Sparrow’s red and grey colors catch my attention, the reddish rump and back stripes, reddish arrowheads on the white breast. A wide band of grey wraps around the eye and neck, outlining a reddish cheek.

Such a handsome bird! And plump. It’s bigger than most of our North American sparrows.

Fox Sparrows are not rare, but they are often overlooked. They’re shy of people. They tend to scuttle, flitting their tail, through thick woods rather than flying out in plain sight.

I love having them visit my leaves.

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Fox Sparrow Animation by Cornell Lab

You may wish to visit an animated map showing the Fox Sparrow’s travels throughout the year. Click the Weekly button near the name Fox Sparrow. Find and hit the blue-and-white arrow. Wow.

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