GALLERIES > BIRDS > PASSERIFORMES > EMBERIZIDAE > WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Zonotrichia albicollis] [plot on map]
Location: Magee Marsh (Crane Creek), OHGPS: 41.6N, -83.2W, elev=573' MAP Date: May 5, 2012 ID : B13K4815 [4896 x 3264]
|
|
|
Location: Manhattan Beach (Sand Dune Park), CAGPS: 33.9N, -118.4W, elev=119' MAP Date: December 15, 2012 ID : B13K1397 [4896 x 3264]
|
|
|
Location: Magee Marsh (Crane Creek), OHGPS: 41.6N, -83.2W, elev=573' MAP Date: May 9, 2010 ID : 7C2V7808 [3888 x 2592]
|
Location: Magee Marsh (Crane Creek), OHGPS: 41.6N, -83.2W, elev=573' MAP Date: May 9, 2010 ID : 7C2V7812 [3888 x 2592]
|
|
Location: Cerillos, NMGPS: 35.5N, -106.1W, elev=6,140' MAP Date: February 14, 2012 ID : B13K4104 [4896 x 3264]
|
|
|
Location: North Chagrin Park, Willoughby Hills, OHGPS: 41.6N, -81.4W, elev=895' MAP Date: January 12, 2009 ID : 7C2V3510 [3888 x 2592]
|
Location: Dublin, GAGPS: 32.5N, -82.9W, elev=231' MAP Date: February 9, 2008 ID : 3216 [3888 x 2592]
|
|
SPECIES INFO
The White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, is a passerine bird of the American sparrow family Emberizidae.
It is a 17 cm long North American species, breeding in central Canada and New England. It nests either on the ground under shrubs or low in trees in deciduous or mixed forest areas and lays 3-5 brown-marked blue or green-white eggs. In winter, it migrates to the southern and eastern USA. This bird is a rare vagrant to western Europe.
The rufous wings and white throat make this an easy species to identify. Some birds have a tan supercilium and browner head than the more common white-striped form.
These birds forage on the ground under or near thickets or in low vegetation. They mainly eat seeds, insects and berries.
The White-throated Sparrow's song is a high whistle with the cadence of "Po-or Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody" (or "O-oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada") The rhythm is very regular, and the timbre could be described as pinched.
There are at least two distinct songs sung by this species. One consists of an initial note, followed by three or so repeated notes at an interval of about a major third above. The second song consists of an initial note, a second a whole step lower, and a third note, repeated 2-3 times, about a minor third below that. These musical intervals are only approximate; to a human ear the song often sounds out of tune. The repeated note will often change in pitch very slightly, contributing to this effect.
The White-throated Sparrow also has at least two other calls, in addition to its song.
|
|