Fruit, Nuts and Worms

I have become increasingly smitten with the White-crowned Sparrows that seem to be sticking around for the winter. They are outrageously photogenic – which for me means they sit still while I get the shot in focus! Their feathers of many colors also result in pleasing pictures. Finally, they like to perch in hedge row bramble and “ornamental” grasses which add to the artistry of the image.

While filming these little birds – which are not actually the littlest birds of the little birds – I have caught them providing information about their diet. I suppose most surprising was the desire to eat fruit. This bird is eating a red grape.

Not surprisingly, they also eat seeds. But, it was interesting to catch more than one eating (or at least trying to eat) nuts – both peanuts and almonds.

The White-crowned sparrows that live here also seem to enjoy suet – both, the peanut suet pellets and the unflavored slab variety that contains cornmeal grit.

The most curious item on the White-crowned Sparrows menu was the dried meal worms! Maybe it’s not so odd – if you’re an astronaut. However, I struggle wrapping my head around the idea that a hard, mostly hollow, crunchy bit can be interpreted as the juicy, nutritious snack it once was. I suppose the birds use their sense of smell or taste to decipher what’s edible, and what’s not!

I can’t post a page about this species without including a few shots which show how they add such splendor to their wild world.