White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Perching
Length: 7 in. (18 cm )
During the winter, this handsome and large sparrow commonly moves through open scrub lands, weedy agricultural fields and suburban areas in large flocks, often together with four or five other species of sparrows. Here they eat grass seeds and occasionally fruits. During the summer, pairs of these sparrows can be found in open habitats ranging from coastal shrubs to alpine and tundra meadows. Here they feed on insects grass shoots and moss capsules.
The four-digit banding code is WCSP.
Male |
Female |
Agricultural
Chaparral
Desert
Mesquite bosque
Riparian / River forest
Savanna
Shrubs
Urban city
Sonogram Large:
There are no sonograms saved for this audio.
Sonogram Zoom:
There are no sonograms saved for this audio.
Sonogram Large:
There are no sonograms saved for this audio.
Sonogram Zoom:
There are no sonograms saved for this audio.
Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sonogram Large:
There are no sonograms saved for this audio.
Sonogram Zoom:
There are no sonograms saved for this audio.
You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
Bibliographic details:
- Article: White-crowned Sparrow
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
- Date accessed: 26 July, 2025
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:38). White-crowned Sparrow. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "White-crowned Sparrow". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "White-crowned Sparrow". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/white-crowned-sparrow
Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Be Part of
Ask A Biologist
By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.
