White-Crowned Sparrow vs White-Throated Sparrow: ID Challenge

White-Crowned Sparrow

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The white-crowned sparrow breeds along the Pacific Coast, in western mountains and across Canada and Alaska, and winters in much of the United States and Mexico. This bird has a gray body with a crisply patterned brown back. Adults have bold black-and-white head stripes. Rich rusty brown and gray head stripes are found on immature birds.

The bird’s head may be slightly peaked. The white-crowned sparrow’s bill varies from pinkish to yellow.

Its song also varies by region, but it generally it incorporates pure initial whistled notes, followed by jumbled whistles ending with buzzing trills.

Learn fascinating sparrow facts you should know.

White-Throated Sparrow

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The white-throated sparrow breeds across Canada and the northeastern United States. It spends winter mostly in the eastern states, with fewer in the Southwest and Pacific Coast. A white throat patch contrasts with a gray body, and it has brown patterned wings and a brown back.

Its head stripes may be brown and gray or black and white, it has yellow patches between eyes and bill, and its bill is grayish in color.

To identify this sparrow by ear, listen for a pure thin rolling whistle of Oh, sweet Canada, Canada, Canada.

Learn how to identify and attract a chipping sparrow.

Difference Between These Sparrows

Courtesy Kristin Schreiber

Visually, the clearest difference between the white-crowned sparrow and the white-throated sparrow is the presence of yellow feathers between the white-throated’s eyes. Those yellow feathers stand out when looking at the bird, especially with binoculars.

In addition, most white-crowned sparrows lack the white feathers at the throat that give the white-throated sparrow its name.

While their ranges share significant overlap, the white-throated sparrow doesn’t usually reside in many western states, including Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon with the exception of the Pacific coast.

When you’re done telling the difference between white-crowned vs white-throated sparrows, learn to distinguish between downy and hairy woodpeckers.

Sources

• All About Birds: “White-Crowned Sparrow,” “White-Throated Sparrow“