Harris's Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula
Silhouette: Edwin Price · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyPasserellidae (New World Sparrows)
- GenusZonotrichia (Zonotrichia Sparrows)
- SpeciesZonotrichia querula (Harris's Sparrow)
About the Harris's Sparrow
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), making it Canada's only endemic breeding bird. In the winter they migrate to the Great Plains states of the United States, from southern South Dakota to central Texas. The common name of this species commemorates the American amateur ornithologist Edward Harris (1799–1863).
This species is the largest of the sparrows in the family Passerellidae, though other superficially dissimilar species in the family may slightly exceed them in size. They range in total length from 17 to 20 cm (6.7 to 7.9 in), with a 27 cm (11 in) wingspan and weigh from 26 to 49 g (0.92 to 1.73 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 7.7 to 9.2 cm (3.0 to 3.6 in), the tail is 7.6 to 8.8 cm (3.0 to 3.5 in), the bill is 1.1 to 1.4 cm (0.43 to 0.55 in) and the tarsus is 2.2 to 2.5 cm (0.87 to 0.98 in).
This is a very distinctive looking species. Breeding plumage birds have conspicuous pink bills and black on the crown, face, throat and upper breast, contrasting... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Harris's Sparrow in Death Valley National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Death Valley National Park
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Zonotrichia leucophrys
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Zonotrichia albicollis
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
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Passerculus sandwichensis
Black-throated Sparrow
Amphispiza bilineata
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Artemisiospiza belli
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Melospiza lincolnii
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
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Pipilo maculatus
Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri
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Junco hyemalis
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Melozone crissalis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 2 | Wood Buffalo National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 3 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Isle Royale National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Harris's Sparrow in Death Valley National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Harris's Sparrow sighting in Death Valley National Park, based on 17 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Harris's Sparrow in Death Valley National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Harris's Sparrow in Death Valley National Park in our monthly data.