This is Bird Note.

On the ground, amongst the leaves, you'll see miraculous shades of brown, hopping around.

Sparrels are often described as just another brown bird, and dismissed in favor of more colorful species.

But sparrows come in a wide range of hues.

From the rusty brown mohawk of the chipping sparrow,

to the chocolate brown atop the wings of the swamp sparrow,

and the soft beige streaks on a song sparrow's chest with a spot of dark cocoa brown in the center.

Sparrels have so many beautiful combinations of brown.

Just as sparrows are frequently dismissed in favor of more charismatic species, Blackbirders have historically been underrepresented in conservation spaces.

This year, Blackbirders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows, while also drawing parallels with the struggles and triumphs of black birders.

Together, we can amplify the voices of both sparrows and black nature enthusiasts, ensuring that

no bird or birder is left behind. So next time you see a little bird flash across the ground,

take a moment to look for the miraculous shades of brown.

For Bird Note, I'm Deja Perkins.