Bird Guide

Rufous-collared Sparrow vs White-crowned Sparrow

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Small20 gShrubland

The rufous-collared sparrow is 13.5–15 cm (5+1⁄4–6 in) long and weighs 20–25 g (0.71–0.88 oz). The adult has a stubby grey bill, and a grey head with broad black stripes on the crown sides, and thinner stripes through the eye and below the cheeks. The nape and breast sides are rufous, and the upperparts are black-streaked buff-brown. There are two white wing bars. The throat is white, and the underparts are off-white, becoming brown on the flanks and with a black breast patch. Young birds have a duller, indistinct head pattern, with brown stripes and a buff ground colour. Voice: The rufous-collared sparrow has extensive geographical variation in its vocalisations, but calls include a sharp tsip. The male's song, given from a low perch, typically includes slurred whistles with or without a final trill, tee-teeooo, e'e'e'e'e, or teeooo, teeeee.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: JUAN ANTONIO ALONSO DE JUAN · CC BY 4.0
Photo: (c) Esteban Poveda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Esteban Poveda · cc-by
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

Small28 gShrubland

Adults have black and white stripes on their head, a gray face, brown streaked upper parts and a long tail. The wings are brown with bars and the underparts are gray. Their bill is pink or yellow. They are similar in appearance to the white-throated sparrow, but do not have the white throat markings or yellow lores. Measurements: Length: 5.9–6.3 in (15–16 cm) Weight: 0.9–1.0 oz (25–28 g) Wingspan: 8.3–9.4 in (21–24 cm)

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Davyd Betchkal · CC0
Photo: (c) Mike Baird, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Rufous-collared Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow.