Name: White-Throated Sparrow

Description: The White-Throated Sparrow can be observed busily scratching back dead leaves with both feet in search of insects and seeds, making this bird valuable to farmers as a natural weed killer. It breeds from southeastern Yukon across Canada to Newfoundland and southward to the northeastern United States. It winters along the Pacific Coast from Washington to Mexico, along the southern states in the southwest, and all across the Midwestern and eastern United States.

Other Names: Canadian Sparrow, White-Throat

Color: The White-Throated Sparrow’s white throat is conspicuous. Bills are always dark and they sport a distinctive yellow spot between the eye and the bill. The top of the crown is dark striped, with a dark eye line. A broad stripe above the eye is either white or tan. White-Throated Sparrows with black-and-white head stripes mate with those of the opposite sex having brown and tan stripes.

Sound: The White-Throated Sparrow sings a catchy tune that's easy to whistle. It begins with two slow, clear notes, followed by a three-note phrase repeated two or three times. It could be “Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada” or “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody.” Calls include a lisping "tsweet."

Preferred Environment: The White-Throated Sparrow prefers nesting in coniferous, deciduous and mixed woodlands near the edge of the forest or clumps of trees or bushes.

Nesting Habits: The nest of the White-Throated Sparrow, created by the female, is either located on the ground or in low branches of trees, concealing it well. The nest is built with twigs, grass, woodchips, mosses and conifer needles, lined with finer grasses, hair and rootlets.

Food Preference: The White-Throated Sparrow feeds on black-oil sunflower, striped sunflower, sunflower chips, niger (thistle), cracked corn and millet.