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Bird Identification

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White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis L 6 ¾" (17cm)

Photo by Lang Elliott.

Listen to a white-throated sparrow.

Old Sam Peabody-Peabody-Peabody or Oh sweet Canada-Canada-Canada. Depending on where you live and which version your ear hears, these are the words the white-throated sparrow seems to sing. The pattern is two single notes on one tone followed by three triplets of notes on another tone. The whitethroat sports a striking pattern of black-and-white head stripes, offset by a white throat. A yellow lore spot in front of the eyes is a diagnostic field mark of adult birds. Some races of this species have tan-colored head stripes rather than white ones. The white-throated sparrow is common in winter in brushy habitat, hedgerows, and woodland undergrowth in the eastern half of North America. Breeding occurs in the zones from northern New England, northward and westward.

This sound file requires RealPlayer. Bird song courtesy of Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio.

Wading Birds

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