White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
These birds exhibit regional dialects; a sparrow from California sings a noticeably different tune than one from Alaska.
- Scientific name
- Zonotrichia leucophrys
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Passerellidae › Zonotrichia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Shrubby areas, forest edges, thickets, and backyard gardens.
- Diet
- Primarily seeds and insects; occasionally small fruits and berries.
- Range
- North America, Canada, United States, Mexico
- Size
- Length: 15-18 cm; Weight: 25-28 g
- Lifespan
- 6-13 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, window collisions, and predation by domestic cats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and delightful to observe. Maintain a respectful distance of 5-10 feet to prevent flushing the bird. Avoid feeding human food; provide native seeds or water in gardens instead.
The white-crowned sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys ) is a medium-sized sparrow native to North America.
Photo: Mike Baird, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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