White-crowned Sparrow Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Song (leucophrys)
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Ontario, May 29, 1958Recorded by William W. H. Gunn / Macaulay Library
Song (oriantha)
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New Mexico, July 11, 2020Recorded by Marky Mutchler / Macaulay Library
Song (Gambel's)
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Alaska, June 14, 2015Recorded by Bob McGuire / Macaulay Library
Song (nuttalli)
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California, May 05, 1988Recorded by Thomas G. Sander / Macaulay Library
Song (pugetensis)
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Oregon, July 19, 2013Recorded by Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library
Song
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Maryland, April 11, 2017Recorded by Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library
Calls
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New Mexico, July 11, 2020Recorded by Marky Mutchler / Macaulay Library
Calls
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Utah, July 28, 1990Recorded by Kevin J. Colver / Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, May 26, 2020Recorded by Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library
Calls
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Montana, May 31, 2015Recorded by Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library
Calls
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Texas, December 21, 2017Recorded by Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library
Flight calls
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Maryland, November 13, 1999Recorded by Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library
Flight calls
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California, May 25, 1964Recorded by William R. Fish / Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

The song of the White-crowned Sparrow Is one of the most-studied sounds in all of animal behavior. Different subspecies across the country sing clearly different songs, but they’re all recognizable by the sweet, whistling introduction, a succession of jumbled whistles, and a buzz or trill near the end. Songs last 2-3 seconds. Females sing only rarely.

Calls

White-crowned Sparrows have about 10 different calls. The most frequently heard include a sharp pink, lower-pitched than the White-throated Sparrow’s call. It’s usually made by males or as an alarm call near the nest. They also make a harsh, rasping call used by sparrows during altercations.