Birding Utah: Harris's Sparrow -- Utah County

Harris's Sparrow

Lower Provo River Parkway in Lakeshore

12/10/13

Harris's Sparrows are annual in Utah with 3-4 sightings a year. A first-winter bird was reported on the 9th, found by Eric Huish and Carlos Caceres. It was seen near the Lower Provo River Parkway on Lakeshore Drive. My dad and I went down right after school in hopes of seeing this bird. I had seen one 5 years ago along the Skipper Bay trail, which is ironically just down the road from where Eric found the bird. If we found the sparrow it would be a lifer for my dad and only the second time I had ever seen one.

Despite the the cold, the area was pretty birdy. Numerous California Quail scampered around, American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Mallards floated on the river, and Spotted Towhee's called from the dense cover.

California Quail

After a few minutes my dad spotted our first Zonotrichia Sparrow on top of some dense brush. White throat bordered by black, splotchy black breast, pink bill, white belly, black crown, and brown head. Perfect match! It was the Harris's! I fumbled for my camera, looked up, and it was gone.

I continued looking in the same area as our initial sighting while my dad walked farther down the road. While looking for the sparrow I noted other birds such as a good looking female Belted Kingfisher, American Tree Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, and a flyover Mallard.


Female Belted Kingfisher

Drake Mallard in flight

After looking for another 10 minutes I went back to the car and as soon as I got in my dad waved for me to come over. He had the bird! I drove over to him and hopped out. Sure enough it was right there feeding in a little open patch of dirt. I got my camera out and snapped a few pics.

1st Winter Harris's Sparrow

Right as we were about to leave, it flew up not 10-15 feet away from us into a Russian Olive. These were the best looks I've ever had of this bird and probably the best I'll ever get.