| The white-throated sparrow is distinguished from other sparrows by the white throat which is separated form the cheek and upper breast by a thin black stripe. There are two common color morphs in this species. The head of the "white-striped" morph is striking with white stripes on the crown and over the eyes separated by black stripes, while the "tan-stripe" morph has duller black and tan stripes. The "tan stripe" morphs often have streaking on their breasts, absent in the solid gray breasts of the "white-striped" morphs. Both have small yellow spots in front of the eye with a thin black or dark brown stripes behind the eyes. The back and slightly notched tail are brown as are the wings which have two narrow whitish wingbars. The belly is dull white and unstreaked while the rump is gray brown and faintly streaked. The bill is horn colored or dark tan while the legs are pale pinkish brown. Winter coloration is duller and the throat patch not as clearly defined. From a distance the white-throated sparrow is larger than most other sparrows and has a relatively long tail. Both sexes are similar in appearance.
The White-crowned Sparrow is similar but has a gray throat and lack the yellow spot in front of the eyes. Adult white-crowns never have breast streaking and the beak tends to be yellowish to orange or dark reddishsh pink as opposed to the horn-colored bills of the White-throated Sparrows. Golden-crowned Sparrows can be distinguished by the yellow in the central crown stripe rather than in front of the eye. They also lack the white throat as well as the white eye stripe of the White-throated Sparrow.
Oddly enough the "tan-stripe" and "white-stripe" adults tend to mate with opposite colored morphs. The "white-stripe" male tends to be more aggressive toward singing birds and chases away the "white-stripe" female that sings in favor of the "tan-stripe" female which does not sing. It has also theorized that the aggressive courtship ritual of the "white-stripe" female which includes fluttering its wings and trilling call attracts the "tan-stripe" male. In either case, the "white-stripe" male is left with the "tan-stripe" females.
The breeding habitat is brushy or semiopen conifer or mixed woodlands and extends eastward from the Rocky mountains throughout the rural expanse of Canada below the treeline and into the northern United States along the great lakes and in New England. The winter range overlaps the breeding range in southern Canada along the St. Lawarence Seaway and into New England and extends throughout the southeastern United states to the Gulf Coast. In winter, they form flocks in dense vegetation and forage for seeds, berries, insects, and buds on the ground in wood lots, scrub lands, gardens, and backyards bird feeders.
The song fo the White throated sparrow is probably one of the best known because it is so frequently heard. The song is a clear whistle starting with one or two low tones, followed by three or four higher wavering tones and is known to many by the mnemonic "Old Sam Peabody". The bird sings year round but sings with more purpose in the early spring and during the breeding season the male will sing throughout the day, especially at dusk and dawn, but sometimes will often sing at night especially when the moon is full. A reasonable rendition of the song will bring the curious birds out in the open to see the new arrival with the strange accent. The bird can also be attracted by making a squeaking sound by kissing the back of your hand which sounds like a baby bird in distress. This call works better during nesting season, but since it distresses the bird and can disrupt them.
The White-throated sparrow nests is a cup of grass twigs and pine needles lined with finer materials concealed under vedetation. The clutch consists of 4-6 cream-colored bluish or greenish with reddish-brown spots. The female incubates the young for 12-14 days, which leave the nest about 12 days later.
Length 6 - 7 Inches
|
