Frequently Asked 

Questions

After a question gets asked often enough it gets to show up here as a Frequently Asked Question - and it gets an answer. Is your question on this page? Have a look! New questions appear at the top of the page.

Q. I can never tell sparrows apart. There must be a hundred kinds. Help!

A. Sparrowphobia is not unusual among beginning birders, but take heart. There aren't a hundred kinds. In Newfoundland, we usually see only about seven species (aside from Junco, which is easy to identify, and House Sparrow, which isn't really a sparrow at all).

Savannah Sparrow - A robust, pale, streaky sparrow of open fields, coastal areas, and barrens. Gas an overall buffy color with a little fleck of yellow in front of the eye. The cheek has a large tan triangle around the eye, edged in black, with a white stripe over the eye and a broad white malar mark edged in black. The throat is white. Savannah Sparrows have fairly large bills. the upper mandible is dark, and the lower one is pinkish.

Chipping Sparrow - Generally uncommon, but occurring locally in western Newfoundland, the Chipping Sparrow has a bright reddish cap and a srtong white eye-line with a thin black line running right through the eye, and a gray cheek and nape of the neck. This is a small sparrow with a small, dark bill. The chest is clear gray with a white belly. The rump is gray. 

Fox Sparrow - The "Foxy Rooter" - a big, reddish brown sparrow with a long reddish tail and a spotty chest. The spots are reddish, not blackish. The cap is gray and face has a reddish ear patch and a white malar mark edged in reddish brown. The upper back is gray with reddish brown stripes. This species is usually seen down low or on the ground in thickets of woods.

Swamp Sparrow - a very small, quick sparrow that runs on the ground almost as often as it flies. The head has two wide rusty red stripes that usually look more like a cap. The face is gray with a bit of black patterning, and there is a pale patch on the throat. The chest and belly are finely streaked gray, fading to white. Swamp Sparrows tuck their tails down as they are about to land. They are often seen in scruffy wet areas, marshes and (surprise) swamps.

Lincoln's Sparrow - Uncommon on the Avalon but more common elsewhere on the island, this sparrow resembles Swamp Sparrow but has a much more yellowish, streaky chest. These markings are neatly terminated at the white belly, making it look like the bird is wearing a stripy yellow "bib". The face is more brownish than a Swamp Sparrow's and the crown stripes are a dull brown with a central gray stripe. 

Song Sparrow - Less common than the others, at least in Newfoundland, this medium-sized sparrow is a stripy brown and off-white, with a long rounded tail. It has a streaky breast, a white throat, and a broad white malar mark edged in black. The bill is dark.

White-throated Sparrow - A robust, colorful sparrow with a black and white (or black and tan) striped head, a yellow spot in front of the eye, and a white throat. The chest and belly are gray, and the back is a bold pattern of browns and black. The song is extremely familiar - "Ohhh CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADA!!"

Q: The other day I saw a plump bird bigger than a chicken or a grouse. It was walking and it had a long tail, and was sort of the same color as a grouse. What was it?

A: Chances are, it was a Ring-necked Pheasant. Males have a greenish head (that may look black), some bright red around the eye, a white bill, and a white ring around the neck. Females and immature birds are plain. All pheasants have long tails. Pheasants seen in the wild in Newfoundland are thought to be escaped birds. Many people keep pheasants, and they occasionally get away (or are released). At the moment we do not believe that they are "naturalized" on the island. That means that they cannot sustain a population in the wild for more than a few generations. Still, any reports of pheasant sightings are interesting, since this species may eventually develop a stable population somewhere on the island. 

Q: What are all these black birds I keep seeing around my property?

A: There are two likely answers, and a few more less likely ones. If you are seeing large numbers of small, black birds, these are in all likelihood Common Starlings. This species travels in large flocks and will descend upon a back yard where the birds will devour hundreds of insects, seeds, and a great variety of other foods. Starlings chirp noisily and are often seen lined up by the hundreds along phone lines. If the birds are large and not as plentiful, they are probably American Crows. Larger still, and less likely to appear in groups of more than two or three, are Common Ravens. (See below for how to tell a crow from a raven). Finally, if the birds have long tails and beaks and a glossy purple-black sheen, they are Common Grackles.

Q: How do I tell a Crow from a Raven?

A: Crows are the smaller of the two, and more likely to be seen in groups of four or more - sometimes in flocks of hundreds. Crows have squared-off tails, whereas Common Ravens have wedge-shaped tails. Ravens utter a very deep, raspy croak, while crows generally caw over and over with an excited, nasal sound. Ravens tend to glide more than crows, which flap their wings quite a lot. Often the two species can be seen together, and it is a good idea to use that chance to make comparisons. Crows seem more likely to "mob" other species of birds (including ravens!)

 Q: Are there hummingbirds in Newfoundland? How do I attract them to my property?

A: Ruby-throated Hummingbird occurs in Newfoundland, particularly in the western part of the province. It is seen every year in the Codroy Valley. Breeding records exist from St. John's and Avondale, and it is certainly nesting in the Codroy, too. There are a few records annually from many parts of the island. Rufous Hummingbird has also been recorded, but it is extremely rare. If you see a hummingbird in your yard, you might be able to convince it to come back by putting up a hummingbird feeder. Be careful not to confuse hummingbirds with large moths, which also occur.

Q: I am seeing robins around my property this winter, even though I live in Newfoundland. I thought robins migrated away. Why are they here, and will they survive?

A: Robins are fairly common in Newfoundland, even in winter. They eat berries this time of year. One of their favorite foods is the fruit of the Mountain Ash or Dogberry. (Some people call them Roan berries, too). When there is no snow, robins often congregate on open barrens, where they can find insects and many sorts of berries to eat. I expect most of our wintertime robins survive through to the spring.

Q: I have seen a flock of grayish birds with little pointy crests on their heads. They seem to have a yellow band across the tips of their tails. Do you know what they are?

A: These birds are waxwings. If they had a rusty brown color under their tails, then they were Bohemian Waxwings. If they were a pale yellow or white under the tail, then they were Cedar Waxwings. Both species occur in Newfoundland - don't be fooled by the maps in your field guide. Bohemian Waxwings sometimes occur in winter in flocks of thousands. Cedar Waxwings are year-round residents that nest here.

Q: I saw a large brownish bird in my yard. It had a long bill and a red patch on the back of its head. Its breast was covered with dark spots. What sort of bird is this?

A: The bird you saw is a Common Flicker. It's a type of woodpecker that lives in Newfoundland year-round. Other distinguishing marks include a broad black crescent-shaped band across the breast, a white rump, and brilliant golden-yellow under the wings and tail. Flickers get their name from the way they fly - they make several quick flicking wing-beats, and then glide with their wings folded. They are common visitors to suet feeders, and also feed directly off the ground, unlike most woodpeckers.

Q: Can you suggest a good bird book for Newfoundland birds?

A: There is no book in print that deals only with Newfoundland birds. In fact, you probably don't want one, anyway. Birds know no boundaries, so books that cover larger geographic areas are more helpful. There are several excellent books on the market. I usually suggest a book illustrated with drawings as opposed to photographs, but that is a matter of personal preference. Here is a list of the better books available today:

The Sibley Guide to Birds  $53.00

National Geographic Guide to the Birds of North America, (3rd Ed.) $30.95

All the birds of North America $28.50

Kaufman Birds of North America $25.00

Prices are Canadian Dollar Suggested Retail Prices.

NOTE: These and other books are reviewed on the "BOOKS" page of this Web Site.

Q: What sort of binoculars  should I have for bird watching?

A: This topic is open to endless discussion. However, there are a few basic things you should look for. Rugged and weather-resistant, preferably fully waterproof optics are desirable, but expensive. For binoculars, you will want a model that is between 7X and 10X power, but one that admits as much light as possible. Weight is a consideration - if you can't find light-weight binoculars that make you happy, then at least make sure that you have a wide, comfortable neck-strap.

There are two basic binocular types - porro-prism and roof prism. Roof prism binoculars tend to be more expensive, but also tend to be better binoculars (although there are some superb porro-prism binoculars available).

NOTE: Visit the "OPTICS" page of this Web Site for a more detailed examination of how to pick binoculars. Also, visit the "LINKS" page to find links to good Optics-related Sites.

Q: I have just put up a bird feeder. What sorts of food should I use?

A: There are many types of bird feed available. Usually, the best thing to offer is a high-quality mixed seed, containing sunflower seeds, millet, and peanuts. You can add Niger seed to this mix if you wish. Generally, it is wise to avoid seed mixes containing a lot of cracked corn, wheat, and barley. These seed types are preferred by doves and some other types of birds that we see only rarely in Newfoundland. The birds that we see - mostly finches and sparrows - tend to kick the corn, wheat and barley out of the feeder, and it can make quite a mess and attract mice and rats, too. Check out information on feeders by visiting "Your Back Yard".