Because they can be challenging to identify, birdwatchers may use the term LBB (Little Brown Bird) as a catch-all phrase when they cannot positively identify a particular bird species. However, even in the rain and fog, I was able to identify this LBB as a Fox Sparrow. Not rare, but not all that common, either. He’s a bit dirty from scratching in the mud for bugs and seeds.
Per the Cornell Lab: “Typically seen sending up a spray of leaf litter as they kick around in search of food, Fox Sparrows are dark, splotchy sparrows of dense thickets. Named for the rich red hues that many Fox Sparrows wear, this species is nevertheless one of our most variable birds, with four main groups that can range from foxy red to gray to dark brown. Since they breed primarily in remote areas, many people see them in winter when the birds move into backyard thickets.”
Thought in Memory Of Thomas Brown
To keep our hearts open is probably the most urgent responsibility you have as you get older.”
Leonard Cohen
