August 28, 2026

I am an Orange-billed Sparrow

I live in humid tropical forests

My bright orange beak

Is somewhat unique

Among sparrows, I'm a non-conformist.

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/orbspa1/cur/identification

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 4, 2026

I am a Savanna Sparrow

As mothers go,  I am the best

I gather food - up to 10x my weight 

Every day till my kids leave the nest.

Location: Curtice, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Savannah_Sparrow/

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

June 14, 2026

I am a White-throated Sparrow

Some of us have white head stripes, others have tan

Somewhere out in the world

There's a tan-stripe headed girl

Looking for a white-stripe headed man.

(According to the linked article, these birds usually mate with a bird of the opposite morph.)

Location: Pearson Metro Park, Oregon, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

June 4, 2026

I am known as a Song Sparrow

My song is how I impress girls

They judge me not just by my voice

But how well my singing lessons were learned.

Location: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

January 17, 2026

We are Savannah Sparrows

Oh no! One of us has lost his eyes and beak!

I think he picked up something from that Cormorant

That we were playing around with last week.

(Oh, wait! They're back. Everything's cool now.)

Location: TM Goodwin WMA, Broadmore Unit

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Savannah_Sparrow/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

January 3, 2026

We are known as Swamp Sparrows

Notice our rusty red heads
You can find us in swamps and in marshes

That we traverse using our long* legs.

*Well, for sparrows, Swamp Sparrows have longs legs. But no one will be asking us to play on their basketball team anytime soon.

Location: Providence Road, Cocoa

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swamp_Sparrow/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

September 9, 2025

We are known as House Sparrows

Alaska's the only place in America where we aren't found

We were introduced here in the 1800's

And now, where there's man-made structures, we abound.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Fabens, TX

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 24, 2025

I am a Black-throated Sparrow

My face is boldly marked with white and  black

Still, you might miss me completely as I blend in well

On the ground hunting for insect and seed snacks.

Location: Saguaro National Park, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Sparrow/lifehistory#behavior

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

June 3, 2025

I am known as a Field Sparrow

My numbers are declining due to urban sprawl

I won't nest in suburbs

Prairies are preferred

Over houses and buildings and malls.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Oak Openings, Whitehouse, Ohio

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Field_Sparrow/lifehistory

Photo © 2025 David Simpson and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

September 19, 2024

I am a 5-Striped Sparrow

I came to America from Mexico around 1950

I have 5 stripes on my throat

And no one really knows

If I migrate or am just kind of shifty.

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Arizona

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/five-striped-sparrow

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

May 22, 2024

I'm known as a Bachman's Sparrow

I'm singing my heart away

I'm proud of my very long, rounded tail

And my feathers that are rust and gray.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bachmans_Sparrow/overview#

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

January 27, 2024

I am known as a Swamp Sparrow

I have rufous wings with black tear-drop shapes

In the winter I eat mostly plant matter

In the summer I eat invertebrates.

Location: St. Marks Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swamp_Sparrow/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

November 20, 2023

I am known as a Savannah Sparrow

With that name you'd expect to find me

Only in savannahs - but I'm named for 

Savannah GA - one of the first places I was seen.

Location: TM Goodwin WMA

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Savannah_Sparrow/overview

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 15, 2018

Location: Melbourne, Fee Library

I am a male House Sparrow,
I'm not related to the other sparrows you see.
I'm fatter and have a large, round head.
And because of my abundance, I'm popular to study.

Sources: Cornell Lab - House Sparrow

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson