New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis. Seeds and fruit in winter; insects in summer.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis
- Scientific name
- Zonotrichia albicollis
- Length
- 6.3–7.1 in
- Weight
- 0.8–1.1 oz
- Nest
- Cup on or near the ground in forest openings and bogs
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–14 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Crisp white throat patch
- Yellow spot between eye and bill
- Striped crown in white or tan morphs
Voice
Clear whistled 'Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada'.
Diet and feeding
Seeds and fruit in winter; insects in summer.
What do white-throated sparrows eat? · Best feeder for white-throated sparrows
White-throated Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Connecticut | Winter visitor | — |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | June–July |
| New Jersey | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do white-throated sparrows eat?
Seeds and fruit in winter; insects in summer. At feeders: millet, hulled sunflower, cracked corn.
How big is a White-throated Sparrow?
6.3–7.1 in long and 0.8–1.1 oz.
Do white-throated sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Cup on or near the ground in forest openings and bogs.
Sources
- White-throated Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-throated Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-throated 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.