The white-throated sparrow is a small songbird that is found across Canada and the northern United States. This sparrow stands out for its distinctive plumage and unique behavior compared to other sparrow species. Keep reading to learn more about what makes the white-throated sparrow special!
Identification
The white-throated sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow, measuring approximately 6.5 inches in length. It has a gray face and throat, a white stripe on its crown, and a bold yellow spot in front of each eye. The breast is gray and the flanks have black stripes. The bird’s back is streaked brown and gray while the wings and tail are olive brown.
The sparrow’s most distinctive feature is its bright white throat and chin, which contrasts sharply with its gray cheeks. This marking gives the white-throated sparrow its name and makes it easy to identify.
Males and females have similar plumage, though males tend to be brighter and more colorful. Immature birds lack the black stripes and white markings, appearing mostly brown until their first molt.
Song and Calls
The song of the white-throated sparrow is often described as a clear, whistled “poor sam peabody peabody peabody.” It is a distinctive song that makes this species easy to recognize by ear.
In addition to its song, the white-throated sparrow uses a variety of calls to communicate, including:
- A short, sharp chip note
- A fast, repeating “chip-chip-chip” call
- A high-pitched, buzzy “tsee” call
- A musical, wavering “oh sweet” call
Because of its varied vocalizations, the white-throated sparrow is often heard before it is seen. Becoming familiar with its song and calls is helpful for identifying this species in the field.
Behavior
The white-throated sparrow displays some interesting behaviors compared to other sparrow species.
It is strongly migratory, breeding across Canada and wintering in the southern United States and Mexico. The species forms large migratory flocks of hundreds or thousands of individuals.
The white-throated sparrow is primarily a ground forager, using its feet to scratch and uncover seeds, insects, and other invertebrates on the forest floor. It hops and double scratches in a distinct fashion.
While feeding, the white-throated sparrow tends to pump and flick its tail downwards. This habit helps distinguish it from other similar sparrow species.
Unlike many other sparrows, the white-throated sparrow readily visits bird feeders, particularly platform feeders or those with a perch. It prefers black oil sunflower seeds.
Two Morphs
The white-throated sparrow shows a fascinating behavior known as a “polymorphism”. This species occurs in two distinct color morphs:
- White-striped morph – Has brighter white stripes on its crown and a lighter gray face
- Tan-striped morph – Has tan stripes on the crown and a darker gray face
These two morphs breed with each other, but maintain their distinct plumage. Research has found that the two morphs also behave differently.
White-striped birds are more aggressive and promiscuous. They are more likely to seek out extra-pair matings.
Tan-striped birds invest more energy in parental care. They provide more food for nestlings and defend the nest site.
It is believed this polymorphism evolved to maximize fitness. The two morphs balance each other, with white-striped birds propagating genes through promiscuity while tan-striped birds ensure offspring survival.
Habitat
During the breeding season, the white-throated sparrow inhabits dense underbrush in forests across Canada. It prefers areas with abundant low vegetation and ground cover like shrubs, young saplings, and thicket edges.
Some key breeding habitats include:
- Boreal forest
- Forest openings and edges
- Early successional forest
- Regenerating clearcuts
- Forest wetlands
In winter, the white-throated sparrow migrates to the southern United States. It occurs in open woods, thickets, and undergrowth, particularly favoring pine-oak forests and pine savannas.
The species often overwinters in parks, backyards, and other semi-open areas with trees and brush.
Nesting
The white-throated sparrow builds its nest on the ground or very low in small shrubs and saplings. The nest is concealed by overhead vegetation or woody debris.
Nests are constructed from grasses, twigs, bark strips, and pine needles. They are lined with finer materials like moss, hair, and plant down.
Females lay 3-5 pale blue or greenish-blue eggs with dark brown markings. The eggs hatch after about 12 days.
Both parents feed the young through the nestling stage, which lasts 7-10 days. After fledging, the juveniles follow the parents to learn feeding skills for a few weeks.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the white-throated sparrow has a conservation status of “Least Concern.” It has a large population and a vast breeding range across northern North America.
Population trends are currently stable. Audubon estimates a global breeding population of 82 million individuals.
There are no major threats to the white-throated sparrow. However, some risks include:
- Climate change affecting boreal forest habitats
- Collisions with buildings and towers during migration
- Habitat loss on wintering grounds
Ongoing monitoring is important to detect any future population declines. But for now, the outlook for the white-throated sparrow remains good.
Fun Facts
- The white-throated sparrow has unusually long legs for a sparrow, giving it a distinctive profile.
- Their song is sometimes written as “Old Sam Peabody Peabody Peabody” in birding field guides.
- White-throated sparrows are highly social, often foraging in flocks during migration and winter.
- They are susceptible to a disease called conjunctivitis, where their eyes become red and swollen.
- Adults perform a distracting “rodent run” display if a predator approaches their nest, fluttering wings and dashing on the ground.
- The oldest recorded white-throated sparrow in the wild was over 13 years old.
- Their genus name, Zonotrichia, means “banded hair” – a reference to the bird’s striped crown.
Summary
In summary, the white-throated sparrow is a unique songbird that stands apart from other sparrow species in a few key ways:
- Distinctive white throat and bright yellow lores make identification easy
- Clear, whistled “poor sam peabody” song
- Ground-foraging behavior like double scratching and tail pumping
- Strongly migratory, moving in huge flocks
- Unusual polymorphism with two different color morphs
- Morphs exhibit different social behaviors and mating strategies
- Nests on the ground concealed by vegetation
- Abundant and common across boreal regions
The white-throated sparrow remains a widespread and thriving songbird species. Its unique properties, from plumage to behavior to song, will continue to fascinate bird enthusiasts across North America.
Scientific name | Zonotrichia albicollis |
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Other common names | White-throated Song Sparrow, Canada Sparrow |
Length | 6.5 in (16.5 cm) |
Wingspan | 9.1 in (23 cm) |
Weight | 0.8-1.1 oz (24-32 g) |
Lifespan | Up to 13 years |
Population | 82 million |
Range | Breeds in Canada and Alaska, winters in southern U.S. and Mexico |
Habitat | Boreal forests, pine savannas, overgrown fields |
Diet | Insects, seeds, berries |
IUCN Status | Least Concern |