ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

white-crowned sparrow

Sparrows are small brownish birds that may seem impossible to distinguish to a beginning bird watcher. But by observing head and breast patterns, habitats, and season of occurrence, sparrow identification is relatively easy. They are ground-feeding seed eaters. Sexes are basically the same.

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 11-14 days

• Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs

• Young Fledge: 7-12 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: seeds and insects

Description
The white-crowned sparrow is mostly gray with bold black-and-white stripes on the top of the head. They, like the field sparrows, have pink bills. Their back is the brown-streaked back of all sparrows. They also have an erect, tall posture compared with other sparrows.

Habitat and Habits
The white-crowned sparrow is a fairly common migrant in Ohio. Habitat varies from open areas to fencerows and thickets. The song is a series of clear whistles followed by buzzy trills.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
In northern Canada, where these sparrows breed, the nest is a bulky cup of twigs, lined with grass and placed on or near the ground. The three to five eggs are pale green, thickly spotted with brown.