Christmas carolers have been flocking to my backyard lately, and I can’t help but smile when I hear them sing. I do have to confess though, their repertoire of holiday hits seems a bit limited – they keep singing the same line from the same song over and over again.
Oh Christmas tree-ee-ee
Oh Christmas tree-ee-ee
It took me awhile to identify these little carolers as White-throated Sparrows.
These lovely birds come in two different color patterns: one has chocolate brown and buff head stripes (like the one above) and the other (like the one below) has brownish-black and white head stripes. Both varieties have the tell-tale white throat and the yellow patches near the eyes.
Whenever I head out with my camera and hear them caroling, I can’t help but join in. Then, inevitably, I find myself singing that song for the rest of the day. I’ve even started stuttering the last word to match their version of the tune.
I guess it’s a good thing they’re here for the winter and not the summer!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Gorgeous!:)
Thanks…and thanks for stopping by. 🙂
What beauties! I’ve never seen them that closeup. Way to go, Kathy! 💜
It’s hard to get them when they’re hopping around in the bush, so I was thrilled that a couple of the shots turned out. These little fellows really do have lovely markings.
😀
The nature version of the Bony-M songs played to death in South African shopping centres this time of year…
Okay..that’s funny. I confess I had to look up who this band was!
Another South African quirk I suppose, this fascination of ours with a band 30 / 40 years old, especially at Christmas time…
One does not realize how pretty sparrows are till you see them up close in your photos. Our sparrows are little backward down under, they haven’t learnt to sing yet they just tweet the words. Thanks Kathy!
They really are lovely, aren’t they!
I love sparrows. We often fail to appreciate them because they are everywhere. They do love to chatter. (K)
You are right. I was thinking the same thing the other day about Cardinals. I see them so often that I sometimes forget how stunning they are.
Great photos as always! And if your carolers would like an ornament to accompany them, perhaps they could cajole this rare fellow away from being idolized by birders here in New York? 🙂
I have never seen one of these in person…but you’ll hear me holler all the way in NY if I ever do!
I always heard that they sing “poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody”… but I like your version of their song better.