General

White-throated Sparrow: Medium-sized sparrow with rust-brown striped upperparts, conspicuous white throat, and plain gray underparts. Head has black-and-white striped crown and yellow spots between eyes and bill. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is duller.

Range and Habitat

White-throated Sparrow: Breeds from Mackenzie, central Quebec, and Newfoundland south to North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Spends winters in much of eastern U.S. and in small numbers in southwestern states. Nests in brushy or semi-open mixed woods, winters on wood lots, scrub lands, gardens, and backyards. Frequently visits bird feeders.

Breeding and Nesting

White-throated Sparrow: Three to six creamy white, blue, or green eggs with red brown markings are laid in a cup nest made of coarse grass, twigs, and pine needles, and lined with fine grass, rootlets, and deer hair. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

White-throated Sparrow: Feeds on seeds and insects; scratches noisily when foraging, throwing aside leaf litter in search of food. Eats leaf buds of oak, maple, and crabapple trees in early spring.

Readily Eats

Sunflower Seed, Commercial Mixed Bird Seed

Vocalization

White-throated Sparrow: Song is series of haunting, clear, sweet, and wavering whistled notes, often translated as "poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody." Call is a drawled, lisping "tseep."

Similar Species

White-throated Sparrow: White-crowned Sparrow has black-and-white striped crown, pink bill, and lacks white throat patch and yellow spots between eyes and bill.