White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys))

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The White-crowned Sparrow is a large and distinctive bird, widespread in brushy open country, woodland edges, thickets and roadsides, often around houses.   They usually feed on the ground, generally on seeds.   They are frequently seen on the ground, where they forage with other sparrows or juncos.

They breed from Alaska to Labrador and south to south-central California and northern Mexico.    They are more common in the west than the east.   They winter along the Pacific Coast from south Alaska to Mexico and across the southern United States to Maryland.

Adults have striking black and white striped crowns, brownish streaked backs and wings which have two white wings bars.   Face, nape and breast are gray.   They have whitish chins and pale bellies, plus pale bills that vary from yellow to pink.   

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Barrythe Birder