Black-throated Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBlack-throated Sparrow
Adult
Medium-sized sparrow with a striking face pattern: a white stripe above and below the eye and a black throat.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 19, 2013Adult
A boldly marked sparrow of arid regions of western North America. Adult has a gray mask, bordered by two white lines, and a black throat that extends to the breast.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryBaja California, March 05, 2021Juvenile
Juveniles lack the adult's black throat and have faint streaking above and below.
© Gail West / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 21, 2020Adult
Plump, barrel-chested sparrow with a thick bill and striking head pattern. Call is a thin chip.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryArizona, October 17, 2013Adult
Note the white outer tail feathers. Found in desert scrub, canyons, and washes with scattered shrubs.
© Andy Johnson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 19, 2013Adult
Males and females look the same. Adults have 2 white stripes on the face and a black throat, which separates them from other sparrows.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 19, 2013Similar SpeciesSagebrush Sparrow
Adult
Sagebrush Sparrows have a gray head and white eyering whereas adult Black-throated Sparrows have a bold white eyebrow and extensive black throat.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 05, 2013Similar SpeciesBell's Sparrow
Adult
Bell's Sparrows have a gray head and white eyering, whereas adult Black-throated Sparrows have a bold white eyebrow and extensive black throat.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 18, 2016Similar SpeciesBlack-chinned Sparrow
Breeding male
The Black-chinned Sparrow has a gray belly, whereas the Black-throated Sparrow has a whitish belly. Black-chinned also lacks the Black-throated's strongly striped face.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryTexas, July 27, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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