Pictures of Sparrows at Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Since sparrows are common birds in the Northeast, Rockefeller State Park Preserve has many who call the park home year-round. This gallery includes white-throated sparrows, song sparrows, house sparrows, chipping sparrows, field sparrows, and more. While many folks might discount taking pictures of sparrows because they are more “common” birds, I find them great subjects because they are often in unique poses or locations in the park.

Many sparrow species live year-round at the park, but the white-throated sparrow is one exception, showing up in the fall and leaving in the spring. Their yellow “eyebrows” add some color and interest to pictures. Chipping sparrows are also migratory and appear in the park during spring. Their colors make nice photographs, and I’ve captured them “hovering” next to plants when eating, almost like hummingbirds. You know Spring is beginning when you hear the melodies of the song sparrow as you hike through the park. You can photograph them perched on a branch singing away, and they don’t seem to mind. There are a lot of photos of song sparrows in the gallery because they are cooperative subjects.

I’ve photographed sparrows on all the trails I frequent in the park. Open areas with dense bushes are a favorite, like the field adjacent to Canter Alley or the Farm Meadow Trail. You can often find sparrows perched on the fence posts along Hudson Pines Road or the Barnyard Hill Trail. The stone walls along the Rock Wall Loop attract sparrows as well. Don’t forget to pay attention to the grassy areas along the sides of the trails. Sparrows often forage for food there and scatter to a nearby branch when you approach.

You can learn more about the trails mentioned above here.

Sparrows might be easy to overlook at the park because they are so common, but they’re full of character if you look closer. This gallery shows off the many types around Rockefeller State Park Preserve — from singing song sparrows to colorful white-throated sparrows. Whether perched on a fence or a branch singing away, these little birds make great photo subjects.

Click on a picture below to open the full-size gallery. Controls at the bottom center of the photos let you navigate through the gallery, start a slide show, or close the gallery. Enjoy the pictures!