White-throated Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is commonly seen foraging for seed on the ground near winter bird-feeders in the eastern and south-central United States and occasionally along the West Coast. The White-throated Sparrow continues to sing its ethereal, quavering song almost until the first snowfall: two thin, clear whistles followed, at lower or higher pitch, by a short note and three tri-syllabic phrases ("Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody"). There are two "color morphs" of the White-throated Sparrow having either white or tan stripes over the eye and on the crown. Field studies suggest that white-striped birds are more assertive in their territorial defense than tan ones. Interestingly, birds tend to choose mates of the opposite color morph. See all White-throated Sparrow photosField Marks:The bird has a sharply demarcated white throat, white or tan stripes through the crown and over the eye and a black line in between, yellow patches between each eye and the bill ("lores"), and rufous coloration in the wings. (L 6.75 in.) Distribution:White-throated Sparrows breed in Canada, the Great Lakes region, and portions of New England and the Appalachian Mountains. It is a winter resident throughout the south-central and eastern United States and in coastal Oregon and California. Similar Species:
Habitat & Nesting:The White-throated Sparrow nests mostly on the ground in dense deciduous thickets. Towhee populations, especially in the Northeast, have declined significantly since 1966, probably because of the combined impacts of habitat loss through urbanization and nest predation from cats and raccoons. More Information:The White-throated Sparrow has a distinctive habit of exposing insect and vegetable food hidden under leaf litter on the ground by using a two-stroke, forward-and-back, hop-and-scratch movement with both feet. The White-throated Sparrow interbreeds with the Spotted Towhee, and the species classification is perennially debated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
