Zonotrichia albicollis

Description

This is a gray breasted sparrow. It has a white throat patch and some yellow between their eyes. White-throated sparrows have a black and white striped head. The reast of the bird is brown with black and some white bar bands on the wings.

Voice

There are several clear whistles. There are 1 or 2 clear notes followed by quavering notes of a different pitch. It sounds like Sam peabody, peabody, peabody or Oh sweet Canada Canada Canada. The notes is a slurred tweet.

Habitat

White-throated sparrows can be found in thickets, the undergrowth of conifer or mixed forests, and brush. They often visit bird feeders, but prefer to stay on the ground.

Diet

White-throated sparrows eat seeds, insects, and fruit.

Range

They are found throughout most of Canada and the United States, going as far west as Montana down to Arizona, with white-throated sparrows being found on the Pacific coast in California.

Other Useful Information

There are two morphs of white-throated sparrows. Members of one type prefer to breed with members of the opposite morph.

Similar Species

White-crowned sparrow and the golden-crowned sparrow.