ExploreBirds

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

The White-crowned Sparrow is a small bird with a beautiful white crown on its head. It loves to sing cheerful songs and can often be seen hopping around in gardens and parks.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The White-crowned Sparrow has a distinctive head pattern with bold black and white stripes, resembling a tiny crown. Its body is mostly grey and brown, with an unstreaked grey breast and a relatively long tail. This clean head pattern easily distinguishes it from other sparrows.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyPasserellidaeGenusZonotrichia
White-crowned Sparrow
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White-crowned Sparrow

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A White-crowned Sparrow's tiny heart can beat over 600 times a minute!

Some populations migrate thousands of kilometers, while others stay put all year.

They often hop with both feet together to uncover hidden seeds on the ground.

Young sparrows practice their songs, much like kids learning to talk!

Special abilities

Ability

Celestial Navigator

White-crowned Sparrows can navigate thousands of kilometers using the stars and Earth's magnetic field, helping them find their way.

Ability

Voice Decoder

White-crowned Sparrows have unique song dialects that help them recognize mates and rivals from their specific local group.

Ability

Frost Fighter

White-crowned Sparrows can survive cold winter nights because their fluffy feathers trap air for insulation, keeping them warm.

Measurements & details

Length
15-18 cm
Wingspan
21-25 cm
Weight
0.025-0.035 kg
Lifespan
2-6 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
3-7
Incubation
10-14 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

White-crowned Sparrows munch on a mix of seeds, berries, and insects.

Age differences: Young sparrows eat more insects for protein; adults eat more seeds.

Primary Foods

  • seeds
  • grains
  • berries
  • caterpillars
  • beetles
  • spiders

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is White-crowned Sparrow?

15-18 cm

What is White-crowned Sparrow's wingspan?

21-25 cm

How much does White-crowned Sparrow weigh?

0.025-0.035 kg

How long does White-crowned Sparrow live?

2-6 years

How fast can White-crowned Sparrow move?

45 km/h

What does White-crowned Sparrow eat?

White-crowned Sparrows munch on a mix of seeds, berries, and insects.

Where is White-crowned Sparrow usually found?

Urban areas

How does White-crowned Sparrow hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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