WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – (Zonotrichia leucophrys) – (See images below)
DESCRIPTION: The White-crowned sparrow is a passerine bird with a brown top with white streaks, and grey under parts. It has a white band on top of the head bordered by two black bands. There’s a white band below the black one, starting from the eye, following by a black band also starting from the eye. The latter black band extends down the back of the neck. Adults are similar. The bill and the legs are yellowish. It is approximately 15 cm (6 in.) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Zonotrichia-leucophrys
NAME: The English name ‘Sparrow’ derives from Anglo-Saxon ‘Spearwa’, which means ‘flutterer’. The Latin genus name ‘Zonotrichia’ is from Greek and means ‘band’ and ‘hair’.
HABITAT: Grassy areas, forest edges, shrubs.
DIET: Insects in the summer, and seeds, grain and berries in the winter.
NESTING: Nest built on the ground or low shrub. Four or five creamy eggs are laid, incubated by the female. Chicks fed by both parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Breeding range covers northern part of Canada and Alaska. Winters in southern USA and in Mexico.
Distribution map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-crowned_sparrow#/media/File:Zonotrichia_leucophrys_map.svg
ON PEI: Does not breed on Prince Edward Island, and uncommon in spring and fall, during migration.
CONSERVATION: Widespread and common, not at risk.
SIMILAR SPECIES: White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow
REFERENCES: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/whitecrownedsparrow.htm (New Hampshire PBS)
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/white-crowned-sparrow (Missouri Department of Conservation)
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABPBXA4040 (Montana Field Guide)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-crowned_sparrow
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Zonotrichia_leucophrys/ (University of Michigan)
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/id
DESCRIPTION: The White-crowned sparrow is a passerine bird with a brown top with white streaks, and grey under parts. It has a white band on top of the head bordered by two black bands. There’s a white band below the black one, starting from the eye, following by a black band also starting from the eye. The latter black band extends down the back of the neck. Adults are similar. The bill and the legs are yellowish. It is approximately 15 cm (6 in.) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Zonotrichia-leucophrys
NAME: The English name ‘Sparrow’ derives from Anglo-Saxon ‘Spearwa’, which means ‘flutterer’. The Latin genus name ‘Zonotrichia’ is from Greek and means ‘band’ and ‘hair’.
HABITAT: Grassy areas, forest edges, shrubs.
DIET: Insects in the summer, and seeds, grain and berries in the winter.
NESTING: Nest built on the ground or low shrub. Four or five creamy eggs are laid, incubated by the female. Chicks fed by both parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Breeding range covers northern part of Canada and Alaska. Winters in southern USA and in Mexico.
Distribution map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-crowned_sparrow#/media/File:Zonotrichia_leucophrys_map.svg
ON PEI: Does not breed on Prince Edward Island, and uncommon in spring and fall, during migration.
CONSERVATION: Widespread and common, not at risk.
SIMILAR SPECIES: White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow
REFERENCES: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/whitecrownedsparrow.htm (New Hampshire PBS)
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/white-crowned-sparrow (Missouri Department of Conservation)
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABPBXA4040 (Montana Field Guide)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-crowned_sparrow
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Zonotrichia_leucophrys/ (University of Michigan)
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/id
 |
| White-crowned sparrow, Sandra Meade |
 |
| White-crowned sparrow, Roberta Palmer |