White-throated Sparrow - Photos by Bruce Dayton - White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Emberizidae ( New World Sparrows - 48 Species)
SPECIES: White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

White-throated Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow comes in two distinct color morphs indicated by the color of the bird's median crown stripe. Tan-striped and white-striped sparrows. The White-throated Sparrow population census data shows that population trends are declining overall.
SIZE	The White-throated Sparrow is a large (5-7”) sparrow.
DESCRIPTION	Males have a conspicuous white throat patch, black and white stripes on the head, and bright yellow blotches in front of the eye. Males are slightly larger. Females are duller, without the yellow blotches.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 3-6 eggs, which are incubated in 10 to 14 days. It builds a cup nest of coarse grasses either on the ground under shrubs or low in trees in deciduous or mixed forest areas
RANGE	The White-throated Sparrow is common in the eastern half of North America.
HABITAT	Brushy habitat, hedgerows, and woodland undergrowth.
DIET	Their diet consists of fruit, buds, seeds and insects; such as ants and beetles.




White-throated Sparrow

Sapsucker Woods Bird Sanctuary Tompkins County, New York	Groton Township Tompkins County, New York


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Groton Township Tompkins County, New York


WtSp_339B_050134	WtSp_339B_050125

INTERESTING FACTS

Distraction Display

A behavior demonstrated by a bird that has been disturbed from its eggs or young. It attempts to lure the intruder away from them by calling loudly and acting conspicuously, or even pretending to be injured. Sometimes referred to as “injury-feigning.”

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.

White-throated Sparrow Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes