Immature White-crowned Sparrow molting in Oklahoma – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/1000, ISO 800, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
Yesterday morning I had this immature White-crowned Sparrow in my viewfinder at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge long enough to realize she or he was molting.
I have photographed young of this species molting before in Utah which I wrote about here: Molting Immature White-crowned Sparrows
This immature bird shows signs of molt in their crown and wing coverts.
I thought it was interesting that the immature White-crowned Sparrows in Utah and here in Oklahoma both show signs of molt in April.
White-crowned Sparrows do not breed here in Oklahoma, and they will soon be on the wing to their breeding grounds. That was part of the reason I photographed as many sparrows as I could yesterday.
As usual, I will miss the winter birds while they are gone, but I’m also excited that spring migrants are arriving at the refuge. The birds at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge always keep me smiling.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my White-crowned Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
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