At this time of the year especially, I can usually depend on seeing ducks, geese, and sparrows at my local marsh—other birds may or may not be present, but these three species are my constant companions. The ducks and the geese are often loud and occasionally obnoxious, but when the sparrows sing, it’s generally a more melodious song. The ducks and geese will often fly away when I approach, but the sparrows will just take a hop or two and continue to forage for food.
I take lots of photos of sparrows. They are usually within range and have a surprising amount of personality. Yesterday, on a cold and windy day, I captured this image of what I think is a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia). The light was pretty good and the sparrow cooperated by lifting its head without turning, resulting in a pleasant little portrait of this pretty little bird.
CORRECTION: A number of more experience bird watchers have noted that this is a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana), not a Song Sparrow. Sorry for any confusion—this is not the first time I have misidentified a species, and certainly not the last.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Gorgeous photo, Mike. I think you might have a Swamp Sparrow here. The Song Sparrow has a streaked breast, and this guy has a plain grey breast. For a minute I thought you had an American Tree Sparrow, but the Tree Sparrow has two white wingbars and yours doesn’t have any wingbars. The Sparrows have been some of the harder birds for me to learn to distinguish! But whichever Sparrow it is, you got such a clear, crisp photo!!
Thanks. I was hoping that someone would help me out with identification. I went back to my identification guide and I think you are right. About the only sparrow that I can identify with great accuracy is the White-throated Sparrow. 🙂
Great shot. He looks well fed!
Sparrows are great, spunky little birds.
I, too, think it’s a swamp sparrow. The Nat’L Geog. Field guide shows them as very similar. I find the easiest way to identify a song spar. is by the “medallion” on their chest, so this is tricky without a full chest view. But some of the other subtle markings indicate the more likely thought that it is a swamp. It is a lovely photo, particularly great light.
That’s a great photo of a swamp sparrow, Mike. Gray ring around the brown patch behind the eye helps ID them. You might also see savannah sparrow in your marsh! too. Yellow patch above the eye and streaked breast like a song sparrow (but no spot) helps ID them.