Harris's Sparrow

Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) is in the New World Sparrows family (Passerellidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,657 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.

When to photograph Harris's Sparrow: observations by month (U.S.)

About Harris's Sparrow

The Harris's sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) is a large sparrow. Their breeding habitat is the north part of central Canada (primarily the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, ranging slightly into northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan). In fact, this bird is Canada's only endemic breeder. In the winter they migrate to the Great Plains states of the United States, from lower South Dakota to upper Texas. The common name of this species commemorates the American amateur ornithologist Edward Harris (1799–1863).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Harris's Sparrow by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (New World Sparrows)

Song SparrowMelospiza melodia

Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalis

White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrys

White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis

Chipping SparrowSpizella passerina

Savannah SparrowPasserculus sandwichensis

Spotted TowheePipilo maculatus

California TowheeMelozone crissalis

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ