transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:00] This is Bird Note. The American tree sparrow is a common winter visitor in the northern US. But there's more to this little brown bird than meets the eye. Despite their name, American tree sparrows stay close to the ground. They'll even nest directly on the ground in open shrublands of Alaska and northern Canada. In their summer home, the sparrows raise their young on protein packed bugs and juicy insects. In winter, American tree sparrows rely on seeds from grasses, wildflowers and bird feeders, especially millet. When foraging, they'll kick through leaf litter with their powerful feet and beat seed heads open with their wings. You'll often find them foraging in mixed flocks with other species. Keep an eye out for a little brown sparrow with a dark spot on its blue-colored chest and a two-toned bill that's black on top and yellow underneath. Though American tree sparrows are common in North America, their populations have steeply declined since the 1970s. You can welcome these birds to your neighborhood by growing native plants, keeping cats indoors and filling bird feeders with a millet-rich seed mix. For BirdNote, I'm Arianna Rimmel. This episode is dedicated in memory of Pat and Jo Ann Adams of Hartville, Ohio, who enjoyed caring for backyard birds and shared that joy with others.

Speaker 2:
[01:38] BirdNote's From Love to Action campaign to inspire a million people to take action for birds is rooted in the idea that when we love something, we feel moved to protect it. By hearing a bird's song, understanding its story and place in the ecosystem, we're more likely to care for and protect our shared environment. Your contribution today or recurring monthly gift of any amount at birdnote.org will power stories about birds and nature that turn daily appreciation into real world impact. Together, we can turn love into action. Donate today at birdnote.org.