Golden Crowned Sparrow Has Close Call

Mike Kelly

Les Braund shared these photos of a cutie, the Golden crowned sparrow with me and I just had to share them with you all.

A few days ago he was near his patio which has a bird feeder on it. He heard a thud as a Cooper’s hawk flew by. They often hunt other birds around bird feeders as well as in our Peñasquitos Preserve. The thud was this sparrow — that just missed being caught and eaten by the hawk — zigging while the hawk was zagging and the sparrow collided with Les’ patio glass. I’ve had this happen at my house too.

The bird was obviously stunned or it wouldn’t have let Les pick it up! He cuddled it for a few moments, took these pictures, then released it when it began to stir and seem alert. It took off very ably! This is the first time Les has had this species of sparrow at his feeder.