Species · GBIF taxon 5231132
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrysAlso known as White-crown, Gambel's Sparrow
White-crowned sparrows are striking songbirds easily recognized by the bold black-and-white stripes adorning their crowns and their clear, whistling songs. These birds forage on the ground, scratching through leaf litter with a distinctive double-scratch hop to uncover seeds and insects. During migration, they form loose flocks with other sparrows, often visiting backyard feeders and brushy edges.
MigratorySongbirdGround-foraging
Licensed reference(c) Mike Baird, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grass seeds
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
Predators
- Domestic cats
- Sharp-shinned hawks
- Snakes
ThreatsHabitat loss, outdoor cats, and window collisions
HabitatsBrushy fields, forest edges, taiga, tundra, and backyards
Life span3 to 6 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPasserellidae
- SpeciesZonotrichia leucophrys
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Provide Brush Piles: Offer dense cover in your yard to make them feel secure while foraging.
- Listen for Dialects: Pay attention to their whistles, as regional populations sing distinct local dialects.
- Scatter Seeds: Spread millet or sunflower seeds directly on the ground near shrubbery.
Frequent Companion (c) Daniel Levitis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Levitis · cc-by
Predator "Sharp-Shinned Hawk (juvenile)" by Becky Matsubara is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kevin Krebs, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.