White-crowned Sparrow

About the White-crowned Sparrow

Also known as: Gambel's Sparrow, Intermediate Crown Sparrow, Nuttall's Sparrow, Puget Sound Sparrow, Western white-crowned Finch

White-crowned Sparrows are medium-sized sparrows that live in North America. They are named for the bright white stripes on their heads, which boldly alternate with black stripes. Their backs are streaked while their breasts are unmarked grey. Males and females look alike.

White-crowned Sparrows breed in far northern parts of Canada and Alaska, down to the United States in parts of the Rockies. They are ground nesters. They winter across much of the United States down into parts of Central America.

White-crowned Sparrows feed by foraging on the ground for insects as well as grains and fruit. They will also scratch at the ground to turn leaves and other debris to find food underneath. Some birdwatchers say that their song sounds like More, more, more cheesies, please!

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Details & Statistics

Added to Birdorable
Hatched on 23 May 2010
Scientific Name
Zonotrichia leucophrys
  • Passeriformes
  • Emberizidae
  • Zonotrichia
  • Z. leucophrys
Birdorable Family
Conservation Status
Least Concern (as of 5 April 2020)
LC
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Units: Imperial / Metric
5.9 to 6.3 inches
8.3 to 9.4 inches
.9 to 1 ounces

Range

International Names

Chinese (汉语) 白冠带鹀
Czech (Cesky) strnadec bělokorunkatý
Danish (Dansk) Hvidkronet Spurv
Dutch (Nederlands) Witkruingors
Finnish (Suomi) juovapääsirkku
French (Français) Bruant à couronne blanche
German (Deutsch) Dachsammer
Italian (Italiano) Passero corona bianca
Japanese (日本語) ミヤマシトド (miyamashitodo)
Korean (한국어) 흰정수리북미참새
Norwegian (Norsk) Hvitkronespurv
Polish (Polski) pasówka bialobrewa
Portuguese (Português) Escrevedeira-de-testa-branca
Russian (русский язык) Белобровая овсянка
Spanish (Español) Sabanero de Corona Blanca
Swedish (Svenska) Vitkronad sparv
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