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Sparrow (White-throated)


Zonotrichia albicollis
Sparrow (White-throated)


They spend the winter on both U.S. coasts, and throughout the southern states down to Mexico. They breed as far north as the Yukon and northern Canada all the way down to the northeastern U.S.


They are found in the undergrowth and brush in coniferous and mixed forests.

Body Traits

They have a black and white striped head with a white throat and a yellow patch in front of their eyes. They are about 7 inches tall. Males and females look alike.


They like to search for food on the ground (forage), often traveling in flocks. They can be seen all winter.


They eat seeds, insects and fruits.



They build open cup nests of grass and twigs and place them in the bushes not far off the ground. The female lays 1 – 6 eggs.

Sparrow (White-throated)


Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Genus: Zonotrichia
Species: Z. albicollis

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Amsel, Sheri. "Sparrow (White-throated)" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2021. June 17, 2021