A slyness of sparrows

It doesn't happen often, but I love it when a "strange" bird suddenly appears in the yard. While taking out the trash or just standing on the deck, I'll hear a new call or song that doesn't fit in with the usual background, city bird noise. Then the trick is to find the bird hiding in our overgrown lot.

There was a flock of house sparrows carrying on in the bamboo the other morning, but one big sparrow was belting out an unusual sound. My Birds of Seattle book is great for cutting to the chase. The Fox Sparrow is larger than other sparrows and they are common in Seattle from October to April. The book said "although the subtlety of the Fox Sparrows plumage is beautiful, its voice out shadows its appearance." The call goes something like this musical question: all I have is what's here, dear, will-you-take-it, take-it?

A group of Fox Sparrows are collectively known as a "den" or "slyness" of sparrows.