Fox Sparrow Feeding 2018

In the middle of November 2018 this fox sparrow showed up in my Topeka Kansas yard. In the 25 years I’ve been feeding birds in my yard, this is the first time I’ve had a Fox Sparrow stay for more than a couple days. This one has been here for a few weeks now.
As you can see it likes to feed on the ground. And it likes to be near cover. When i first saw this bird it always stayed within inches of brush. But when I recorded this video it was coming out in the open a little more. I especially love how it scratches with both feet at once. To attract it and other sparrows I sprinkle cracked corn and white millet on the ground under my aromatic sumac shrub.
This fox sparrow is the red variety which breeds across northern Canada. The red variety is rusty brown with a gray head. Note the central breast spot of this heavily streaked sparrow. Also note its size- it’s larger than a junco. They winter in the eastern US and Topeka is in the western part of their winter range.
All of our native sparrows are ground feeders. To attract them to your yard, feed them near cover. If you don’t have natural cover, construct a brush pile and feed around it. I’ve included some links to reference books in the video description.

*Favorite Reference Books*
Sparrows of the US & Canada: https://amzn.to/2RoKaP6
Backyard Bird Feeding Bible: https://amzn.to/2KPYMV5
Guide to Kansas Birds: https://amzn.to/2Ss9jbL