New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys. Seeds and insects.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrys
- Scientific name
- Zonotrichia leucophrys
- Length
- 5.9–6.3 in
- Weight
- 0.9–1 oz
- Nest
- Cup on or near the ground
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–14 days
- Broods
- 1–4 per season
Identification
- Bold black-and-white striped crown
- Pinkish or yellow bill
- Clean grey breast
Voice
Clear whistles and buzzy trills — dialects differ between towns.
Diet and feeding
Seeds and insects.
What do white-crowned sparrows eat? · Best feeder for white-crowned sparrows
White-crowned Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arizona | Winter visitor | — |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| California | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| Nevada | Winter visitor | — |
| New Mexico | Winter visitor | — |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Year-round resident | May–July |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do white-crowned sparrows eat?
Seeds and insects. At feeders: millet, sunflower chips.
How big is a White-crowned Sparrow?
5.9–6.3 in long and 0.9–1 oz.
Do white-crowned sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Cup on or near the ground.
Sources
- White-crowned Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-crowned Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-crowned Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.