Many people, even some birders, dismiss Sparrows as just a group of small brown birds flitting about the brown understory. I confess, until we moved to Southern Arizona, I was one of those people. And then I saw my first Lark Sparrow!

Its head sports a chestnut ear patch and crown that contrasts starkly with bold white and black stripes resulting in a distinguished countenance that differs from others of the species. In a species of birds that can be frustrating to identify it is an easy tick to one's life list. That I have it as a yard bird is an incredible blessing.