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A Lincoln Sparrow Singing at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lincoln Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) photos by Larry Jordan

Right up the road from our group campground (Lost Creek ) at Lassen Volcanic National Park is Summit Lake.  We took a hike around the lake Sunday before heading up to the summit.  It wasn’t very birdy but among the few birds seen was a Clark’s Nutcracker which I didn’t get a photo of, and this Lincoln Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) singing it’s heart out.

They have a beautiful sweet, gurgling, wren-like songThey can be distinguished from other sparrows by their broad, buffy chest band with fine, black streaking continuing down the flanks, contrasting with their white belly and throat.

They also sport a buff colored mustache and a narrow whitish eye-ring

But that song, it’s distinctive!

If you want to see some cool birds from around the world, check out World Bird Wednesday!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • TexWisGirl August 2, 2011, 9:05 am

    what a beauty. i drew one of these once and gave it away to a friend. 🙂

  • Phil August 2, 2011, 10:46 am

    A neat little sparrow as I remember Larry – a birder’s bird?

  • Boom & Gary August 2, 2011, 11:00 am

    Great captures!! They’ve been reported to the NW of Me. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

  • joo August 2, 2011, 11:20 am

    Superb set! I love these little birds!

  • Andrew August 2, 2011, 12:15 pm

    A lovely little bird… thanks for sharing your wonderful images.

  • Mick August 2, 2011, 12:33 pm

    A lovely little bird with a beautiful song.

  • Eileen August 2, 2011, 2:22 pm

    Great shots of the Sparrow. I really like the shots where you captured the sparrow singing.

  • Frank August 2, 2011, 2:51 pm

    A very sweet songster.

  • holdingmoments August 2, 2011, 3:32 pm

    Lovely little bird, with an equally lovely song.

  • springman August 2, 2011, 3:51 pm

    So many sparrows to know! This is definetly a prize winner with that wonderful voice and interesting plumage. Enjoy your trip!

  • Hilke Breder August 3, 2011, 3:21 am

    This bird has been on my list to see for a long time, but haven’t yet got a chance. Thanks for posting these beautiful shots; they really capture the essence of this bird as described in bird guides. Thanks also for including a snippet of its distinctive song.

  • Neil August 3, 2011, 2:38 pm

    A beautiful little bird.

  • Pat August 4, 2011, 6:00 am

    Great captures of this lovely little bird!

  • Sondra August 4, 2011, 12:34 pm

    OH Its lovley and the song is a thrill to hear…Ive never seen this beauty…