White-crowned Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
White-throated Sparrow
Adult
Adult White-throated Sparrows have a bright white throat patch and yellow between the bill and the eyes. They often look dingier or less crisp overall than White-crowned Sparrows.
© Keenan Yakola | Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 04, 2015Similar Species
White-throated Sparrow
Immature
Immature White-throated Sparrows have black stripes on the crown, instead of immature White-crowned's reddish stripes. They have a grayish, not yellowish, bill, and usually show a neat white throat patch.
© Suzanne Labbé | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, November 09, 2016Similar Species
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Adult
Adult Golden-crowned Sparrows have no white on the head. The crown stripe is yellow, not white.
© George Pagos | Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 25, 2017Similar Species
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Immature
Immature Golden-crowned Sparrows usually have some yellow on the crown, helping to distinguish them from immature White-crowned Sparrows, which they closely resemble.
© Joshua Covill | Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 03, 2016Similar Species
House Sparrow
Female
Female House Sparrows are smaller, shorter tailed, and smaller billed, with an unmarked face and no white on the wing.
© Douglas Faulder | Macaulay LibraryAlberta, May 07, 2017Main Species
White-crowned Sparrow
Adult (Dark-lored)
Large grayish sparrow with a long tail and often peaked head shape. Bill is small and orange to yellow or pinkish. Adults have very bold white and black stripes on the head.
© Michel Bourque | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, January 13, 2017Immature (Dark-lored)
Large sparrow with a fairly small bill. Immatures have rusty brown stripes on gray head. Individuals in eastern North America typically have orange to pinkish bills.
© Drew Chaney | Macaulay LibraryVirginia, January 12, 2020Adult
During migration and winter often found along edges of woodlots, hedgerows, thickets, weedy fields, suburbs, backyards, and city parks. Note the bold black-white-head stripes and yellow bill.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 22, 2012Not all videos have sound
Immature (Gambel's)
Large sparrow often with a peaked head shape. Immatures have similar head pattern to adults, but stripes are brown and gray instead of black and white.
© Ryan Schain | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 05, 2011Adult (Yellow-billed)
Large grayish sparrow with a long tail. Often holds crown feathers in a short peak. Adults have bold white and black stripes on the head. Note the gray throat.
© Mason Maron | Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 30, 2020Adult (Yellow-billed)
Large sparrow with relatively small bill. Bold head pattern of black and white stripes. Individuals in western North America usually have yellowish bills and extensive brown on the flanks.
© Craig Fosdick | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 20, 2016Habitat
Breeds in patchy boreal forest, alpine meadows, coastal scrub, and other grassy areas with scattered shrubs or trees. Winters in brushy fields, agricultural areas, roadsides, and thickets.
© Shannon Daniels | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 14, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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