The White-crowned Sparrow is a widespread and familiar winter visitor in Arizona. These handsome sparrows are easily recognized by their bold black-and-white striped crown, pale gray face and underparts, and pink or yellowish bill. They breed far to the north, from Alaska through Canada and in high mountain meadows of the western United States, and then migrate south in large numbers. In Arizona, White-crowned Sparrows are abundant from fall through early spring in desert washes, agricultural fields, brushy edges, and backyards where seed is available.
Several subspecies occur, including Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, the most common wintering form in the Southwest, and Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha, which breeds in the higher elevations of northern Arizona’s mountains and meadows. Adults are marked by their crisp black-and-white striped crowns, while females share the same pattern but may appear slightly duller overall. Juveniles are easily distinguished by brown-and-buff striping on the head instead of black-and-white, giving them a more muted look until their first molt. Their clear whistled songs, often delivered in early spring before migration, add a bright musical note to Arizona’s cooler seasons.
Juvenile
Juvenile