Often a mild winter resident of Oklahoma in dense thickets and overgrown fields, some of the Lincoln's Sparrows are already moving in from northern US and Boreal Forest breeding grounds. These sparrows tend to like grassy patches around trees and brush near water sources. Generally solitary, they will mix with other flocks of sparrows.
This streaked brown and buff sparrow clearly shows malted-milk sides with a black streaked breast and white belly and throat. The buffy mustache stripe is bordered with brown lines. The crest commonly moves up and down when the bird is intrigued or alarmed, but is not a clear delineator of the species.
The medium sized sparrow is not as dainty as it appears and is a skulker. It often is missed in migration, so tune your ears to its sound. Pishing will draw it out, but never do that to any bird in the winter so they may conserve energy when they need it the most.
Lincoln's Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park, Winter 2017
This New World sparrow covers most of North and Central America in subalpine woods, thickets, and even subarctic streams, fens, swamps, wet meadows, and mountain meadows of the western US. Alders, willows, spruce, tamarack and thick ground vegetation will draw it within.
If one hears the characteristic double scratch of a sparrow, look carefully for the source on the ground, as it could well be the shy migrant. Flitting from one spot to another, Lincoln's will incessantly chip when faced with an intruder's approach.
Enjoying grasses, weeds, insects, seeds, grains, and invertebrates, they can be expected in September or October as migrants. Expect it for Christmas Bird Count if in the appropriate area in Oklahoma.
This bird was named by John James Audubon for his friend, Thomas Lincoln of Dennysville, Maine. It was originally called Tom's Finch after the man that shot it for Audubon.
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