Ooooo, lookee. It’s an American Tree Sparrow. What a great first bird of 2009. It is not a rariety by any means but I only see them in the depths of winter. One showed up at the nyger feeder during the first big storm (remember that 17 incher) a week or so ago; then disappeared. And here it is again when the fridgid arctic air pushed our high today to 4F. It does not come to the heated bird bath for a drink, but like the Chickadees can eat snow for the liquid. I saw both birds eating snow today. My resident backyard Chickadee flock drinks from the heated bird bath. So, does that mean the snow-eaters are migrants from further north? Interesting. Have you seen birds eat snow?
Stumble It!
Behind the Bins 
We just noticed a trio of crows that appeared to be munching on snow here last week. Seemed like strange behavior but it sure was nice to see so many crows in the yard again, we’ve missed them.
I haven’t seen them do that, but it doesn’t surprise me. I wonder if it might partly be an instinct for picking up gravel.
What a cutie-bird.
Last week when we had a foot of snow on the ground and freezing temps, I saw birds eating snow. I can’t for the life of me remember who it was. I live in Portland, OR and have the usual suspects in my backyard; house finches, juncos, chickadees, etc.
Great first birdie of the year! May you have many more……and a few rare ones here and there…
Nice little bird. Fun for the firt year bird. My first bird of the year was a House Finch. No surprise there.