Song Sparrow on a fence rail
Melospiza melodia
Song Sparrow · San Diego Botanic Garden · 7 March 2026
A Song Sparrow on a fence rail in a San Diego garden, one of the coastal Californian race, which runs darker and more richly coloured than the paler interior and eastern forms. It is a bird of damp thicket and garden edge across the whole continent, and a rail beside a border is a typical singing post.
The dark central breast spot amid heavy streaking is the classic mark, though Song Sparrows vary enormously across their range, to the point where regional field guides sometimes show the Californian birds separately.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.