White-Crowned Sparrow
Identification and Pictures
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
White-crowned sparrows are about 5 1/2
to 7 inches. A white stripe from the bill to the back
of the head, and another over the eye identifies this
attractive bird. Their bill is either pink or
yellow and often has a dusky tip. They have a long
tail, and 2 white bars on the wings. The crown has a puffy look to it.
Their breast is gray. In younger birds the head stripe is more of a brown
color. Both sexes are similar.
There are 5 subspecies, with variations from one area to
anothe, and telling them
apart can be difficult.
Photos by Keith Lee.
The camera I use is the Canon
EOS 40D.
Range and Habitat
White Crowned Sparrows range through
Alaska, Canada, and western U.S. Northern populations may
migrate for the winter to southern U.S. and Mexico. They can be
found in towns, the country, and along roadsides.
Their preferred habitat is low brush, thickets, and
forest edges. Outside of breeding season they
may be seen in flocks with other birds.
Breeding and Nesting
Male White-crowned sparrows usually
arrive in the breeding area before females, and sing to
protect their territory, and attract a mate. The
birds are usually monogamous. The female builds a
cup nest of grass, pine needles, twigs, and bark strips,
lined with fine grass, hair, and feathers, on or near the
ground. She will incubate 3 to 5
bluish green, pale, spotted eggs for 11 to 14 days.
Both parents feed the young birds which will leave the
nest in around 10 days. They will be able to fly
and find their own food in 7 to 10 days after leaving
the nest.
Song and Call
Their song is a clear whistles followed
by husky trills. A call often heard is a loud
pink-pink-pink.
Listen to
White Crowned Sparrow
Food and Feeding
The main diet of White-crowned Sparrows is seeds from grass and weeds. In summer they also eat insects such as beetles and caterpillars. They will also eat
grains and fruit such as berries. They will visit seed feeders, but prefer to
eat seeds dropped on the ground by other birds.
For more
on food and feeding click here.
For more on feeders click here.
To learn about other
favorite birds click here.
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