Harris's Sparrow

 

With a generous length of 17-20 cm, Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) ranks as the largest sparrow in North America. Extensive black plumage on its crown, lores, and throat mark it as the most distinct (although immature plumages have much less black). Robust in body, this sparrow has a white belly with dark streaks on the upperparts and flanks, a long tail, and a conical pinkish bill. Breeding plumage consists of a grey face, a broad black mask, a black crown and bib. Non-breeding adults show a brown face with a reduced black mask and crown.

 

The migration path of Harris's Sparrow flows straight down the center of North America, through the Canadian Prairies, to the southern Great Plains of the USA. Vagrancies occur in both the east and west parts of the continent.

 

 

The Taiga Shield & Hudson Plains (from extreme northwestern Ontario to the Northwest Territories) is the breeding destination for Harris's Sparrow. Its distribution largely follows a narrow band on either side of the treeline. It inhabits a mix of open tundra and subarctic boreal forest and nests on the ground, often beneath a stunted tree. In the wintering grounds on the southern Great Plains of the USA, this sparrow resides in fields, shrubbery, and sometimes residential backyards.

 

Most Manitobans are unable to see Harris's Sparrow during the breeding season due to the remoteness of the breeding grounds in the far north of the province, however, this species is easily seen during spring and fall migration across much of Manitoba. On migration, it stops at bird feeders or forages on the ground in yards and gardens. In addition, this sparrow may be found around rural fields, shrubby pastures and shelterbelts but rarely in dense forest or wide-open prairie.

 

 

A common bird in steep decline, Harris's Sparrow is listed as Vulnerable in Manitoba and Special Concern in Canada. The restricted range of this sparrow may contribute to its vulnerability to habitat loss. Populations on the remote breeding range are difficult to assess and are outside North American Breeding Bird Survey limits. Accumulated data from the Christmas Bird Count indicates an approximate 2% per year decline in Harris's Sparrow

population since 1965. Possible factors contributing to declines are climate change, and loss of/changes in habitat, but further study is needed.

 

Interestingly, Harris’s Sparrow is the only breeding endemic bird in Canada. This important detail may strengthen the resolve of Canadians to preserve it. We, as individuals, could begin by providing safe, natural habitat in our own backyard to help nurture the Harris’ Sparrow while on its journey.