White-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

Identification Tips:

• Length: 5.75 inches
• Large sparrow
• Dark conical bill
• Long slightly forked tail
• Pink legs

Alternate:

• Bold black and white (or tan) head stripes
• Yellow lores
• White throat contrasting with gray breast and cheeks
• Brown back with dark streaks
• Brown wings with two white wingbars
• Whitish belly

Basic and Juvenile:

• Similar to alternate but duller
• Blurry streaks on breast and flanks
• Stripes on head tan and brown
• Indistinct yellow lores

Similar species:

In spring, the bold head stripes and yellow lores are diagnostic. In fall, these features may be less noticeable. The contrasting white throat and dark bill separate it from the White-crowned Sparrow. Swamp Sparrow has rusty wings and is smaller.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.