White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

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Identification

Field notes

17 cm (7") Common. Breeds in Canada and northeastern United Stores; winters southeastern Canada to southern United States. Dense undergrowth, brush piles, gardens, frequents feeders.

Well defined white throat contrasts with gray cheeks and breast. Head striped with black and white (or tan) stripes. Yellow spot between the bill and eye. Mostly dark bill.

Song: clearly whistled "Oh dear Canada Canada Canada" often heard in winter; call is a sharp "pink" or "tseep".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

1 photo

Credit: Larry Bond

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

White-throated Sparrow: Whistler of the North

Credit: Lang Elliott's Nature Channel

White-throated Sparrow II

Credit: Wild Bird and Nature Videos by McElroy Productions

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

White-throated Sparrow

1 rule

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 6

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: None · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Olive (yellowish-green) · Green · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What were the EYE markings if any ?: Light STRIPE OVER, BEHIND or THROUGH the eye · Unknown
Was the HEAD striped ?: Yes · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like

result:180-white-throated-sparrow:1:1 Source: 180 White-throated Sparrow, row 1