Sep 03 2010
Anatomy: Eyestripe
Marcy’s chipping sparrow has agreed to be a model again this week. Today’s he’s showing off his eyestripe, indicated by the yellow arrow.
The eyestripe is a line of feathers, usually dark, that appears to pass through the eye. It’s a good field mark for sparrows.
If you’ve been following these anatomy lessons, you now know all the field marks that describe this chipping sparrow’s head: rusty crown, white supercilium (or eyebrow), black eyestripe, and gray auriculars (or cheeks).
(photo by Marcy Cunkelman)
I just realized I haven’t been seeing my chipping sparrows this summer. That’s because I took your advice, Kate, and ceased feeding the birds for the summer. I have seen ‘way fewer chipmunks, however, and that’s a good thing. Many less tunnels in my lawn.