Bird of the Week: Fox Sparrow

Spot this bird while you can because it is only a migratory visitor to Michigan. The beautifully brownish-red colored Fox Sparrow stops by on its way to summer homes in northern Canada and Alaska or winter residences just south of us in the eastern United States. They are known for having a musical mating song which fills the Alaska forests with bright sounds throughout the spring and summer, but while they are pit-stopped here in Michigan outside of mating season, you will only hear their simple, loud, harsh single note call. Easy to spot in a grouping, these sparrows are larger and rounder than others, creating a “plump” or “chunky” look when they are surrounded by fellow sparrows. Look for them foraging on the ground under feeders or in leaf piles in your backyard or at any of your Metroparks!