Bird Guide

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

Least ConcernSeedsWoodlandCup nestSmall · 24 g

About the White-throated Sparrow

The white-throated sparrow is a passerine bird of the New World sparrow family Passerellidae. It breeds in northern North America and winters in the southern United States.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The white-throated sparrow is a passerine bird of the New World sparrow family Passerellidae. It measures 15 to 19 cm (5.9 to 7.5 in) in length with a wingspan of 23 cm (9.1 in). Typical weight is 22 to 32 g (0.78 to 1.13 oz), with an average of 26 g (0.92 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 6.3 to 7.9 cm (2.5 to 3.1 in), the tail is 6.8 to 7.7 cm (2.7 to 3.0 in), the bill is 1 to 1.2 cm (0.39 to 0.47 in) and the tarsus is 2.2 to 2.4 cm (0.87 to 0.94 in). They are similar in appearance to the white-crowned sparrow, but with white throat markings and yellow lores. Voice: White-throated sparrows produce song laterally through the left side of their syrinx, and control of their syrinx involves both their central and peripheral nervous systems. After damage to motor control of the left side of the syrinx, individuals were still able to produce sound but their song pattern was distorted, indicating the left side chiefly controls their production of song.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the White-throated Sparrow sounds like

Recording: Doug Hynes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Doug Hynes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the White-throated Sparrow lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Norway, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Bahamas, Ireland.

When to see the White-throated Sparrow

Peak activity in April · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: White-crowned Sparrow vs White-throated Sparrow · Golden-crowned Sparrow vs White-throated Sparrow · Rufous-collared Sparrow vs White-throated Sparrow

Learn the White-throated Sparrow in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.