Harris’s Sparrow

Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) is a large sparrow. The only endemic breeding bird in Canada, its breeding territory is the northern region of central Canada, predominantly the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, with a little range into northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. From middle Texas to southern South Dakota, they migrate to the American Great Plains states for the winter. The common name of this species is in honor of American amateur naturalist Edward Harris (1799–1863).

This species has a very unusual appearance. Breeding birds' distinctive pink bills stand out against their black crowns, faces, throats, and upper breasts, which are contrasted with grey on the sides of the head and neck. Brown with thick black streaks covers the back. Two white wing bars are present. Breeding birds have black mottling on their sides and white lower underparts. Adults who are not reproducing have more buffy coloring than grey and brown, fewer or no black markings, and frequently have whitish scalloping on their heads and throat. Adult plumage is more black than that of immatures, which are typically distinguished by a white chin and throat, a black malar stripe, and a wide, smudgy black breast band. Juveniles have a brownish crown streaked with black and fine dark streaks and some broader black markings on the underside.