Patio Visitor by Janette Slack

Patio Visitor (Chipping Sparrow)

16" X 20"; Watercolor

This past week, most of the snow has finally melted in Winnipeg! It feels wonderful to throw the windows wide open each morning, and listen to the magical trilling of songbirds. Our yard has now come alive with robins and juncos, and the chipping sparrows will soon be arriving.

Common throughout North America, chipping sparrows are one of the smallest sparrows. As ground feeders, they feast on seeds (sunflower, niger, and millet), and nest in conifers.

If you own a horse and spend a lot of time grooming it, don't discard the hair! Chipping sparrows, once called "hairbirds", love to weave horse hair into their nests. You can leave horse hair on twigs and bushes or near bird feeders - the sparrows will appreciate the effort!