For the first time ever, two days ago, I took a photo at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma of an immature White-throated Sparrow that I actually liked.
Immature White-throated Sparrow in a shrub at Miner’s Cove, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light
If White-throated Sparrows are anything like their cousins, the White-crowned Sparrows, this little beauty should start to molt next month and begin to look like the adults of this species.
White-throated Sparrows were a rare sight for me in Utah—I only found one once. But here in Arkansas and Oklahoma, I’ve been able to see them all winter. I was hoping to photograph a young one, and my hope was fulfilled!
Before long, this young White-throated Sparrow will head to its breeding grounds north of here. I’ll miss these beautiful sparrows and their songs and calls while they are gone.
I don’t know what kind of tree or shrub the sparrow is perched on. If you know, please let me know! The young sparrow was eating what appear to be the seed pods of this tree or shrub. I tried to look up the shrub but was not successful. My closest guess is a native Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata) but I’m not certain, at all, about that identification.
I thoroughly enjoyed photographing the immature White-throated Sparrow as it ate the seed pods.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see my White-throated Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
You might look at American Elm for the seed identification. I used Google Image Search, and that’s what came up.
You have so many more varieties of sparrows than we have. Ours are imports and their numbers are in serious decline.
I love the new variety of wildlife you are finding!