White-crowned Sparrow Photo Gallery

Adult (Dark-lored)

Large grayish sparrow with a long tail and often peaked head shape. Adults have very bold white and black stripes on the head.

Immature (Dark-lored)

Large sparrow with a fairly small bill. Immatures have rusty brown stripes on gray head. Note two white wingbars on brown wings.

Adult (Dark-lored)

A large, gray-and-brown sparrow with a small bill and long tail. Adult has a striking pattern of black and white stripes on the head. "Dark-lored" White-crowned Sparrows have a pinkish bill and brighter white head stripes than "Yellow-billed" birds.

Adult (Gambel's)

"Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrows breeding in Alaska and northwestern Canada have gray or white lores and an orange to pink bill.

Immature (Gambel's)

Immatures have similar head pattern to adults, but stripes are brown and gray instead of black and white.

Adult (Yellow-billed)

During migration and winter often found along edges of woodlots, hedgerows, thickets, weedy fields, suburbs, backyards, and city parks. "Yellow-billed" White-crowned Sparrows have duller head stripes and a yellowish bill.

Adult (Yellow-billed)

"Yellow-billed" White-crowned Sparrows breeding along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to California have duller head stripes and a yellowish bill.

Adult (Yellow-billed)

A large, long-tailed sparrow. "Yellow-billed" White-crowned Sparrows have brown flanks, dull white heard stripes, and a yellowish bill.

Adult

Song varies between populations, but is always recognizable by the sweet, whistled introduction, a succession of jumbled whistles, and a buzz or trill near the end.

Immature (Yellow-billed)

White-crowned Sparrow populations in western North America have developed song dialects, with young males learning the basics of the song they will sing as an adult during the first two or three months of their life.

Juvenile

Juveniles have heavily streaked underparts and finely streaked brown head stripes.

Habitat

Breeds in patchy boreal forest, alpine meadows, coastal scrub, and other grassy areas with scattered shrubs or trees. Winters in brushy fields, agricultural areas, roadsides, and thickets.