# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 74 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![White-crowned Sparrow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White-crowned-Sparrow.jpg&width=800) Photo: Wolfgang Wander, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White-crowned-Sparrow.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Zonotrichia ## 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 - **Celestial Navigator:** White-crowned Sparrows can navigate thousands of kilometers using the stars and Earth's magnetic field, helping them find their way. - **Voice Decoder:** White-crowned Sparrows have unique song dialects that help them recognize mates and rivals from their specific local group. - **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 - **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 - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A frequent predator of small songbirds. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — An introduced predator, especially in urban areas. - **Shelter:** [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) — Provides nesting sites and protection from predators. - **Eats:** [Common Ragweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-ragweed) (*Ambrosia artemisiifolia*) — Consumes its seeds, a common food source in winter. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-crowned Sparrow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Brooks River Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooks-river-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Chicken Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cougar-mountain-regional-wildland-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forts-baker-barry-and-cronkhite) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see White-crowned Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-crowned-sparrow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [White-crowned Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-crowned-sparrow)