Harris’s sparrows (Zonotrichia querula) are usually seen in the middle of North America, and are not frequently seen on the East Coast. On November 4, 2018, Elizabeth Paredes found one in Central Park northwest of the Reservoir, a first recording of the bird in Central Park and in Manhattan, I understand. These are the largest sparrows in North America, and unfortunately loss of their habitat is causing their decline. They are seed eaters, and I was able to film this visitor chowing down in the grasses.
Harris’s sparrow, Central Park, November 4, 2018
I posted two videos, a short one on the night it was seen, and a longer Filming the Feathers version, set to music by Bach and performed by Papalin.
These photos are a combination of screen grabs and photographs from November 4, 2018.
