White-crowned Sparrows have been regular fall visitors to my yard since 2004, when they were first recorded during their fall migration. Like they are today, they were flocking with some other native migratory sparrows, the fox and the white-throated.
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow (white morph)
At first glance, the white-crowned's bright white striped head could be mistaken for a (white morph) White-throated Sparrow, but soon you notice the absence of the white throat patch and lack of yellow lores (the yellow patch near inside corner of eye). The shape of the White-crowned Sparrow's head is also different, flatter, less-rounded, though sometimes they raise the feathers on their head.
White-crowned Sparrow adult
I'd only seen adult white-crowneds in the yard before, so when a number of immature white-crowneds came through this fall, they threw me for a loop at first.
White-crowned Sparrow immature
Again, at a quick glance, you could think tan morph White-throated Sparrow. But again, no throat patch or yellow lores. I'm just glad there isn't a tan morph white-crowned!
White-throated Sparrow (tan morph)
White-crowned Sparrow immature
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow (white morph)
At first glance, the white-crowned's bright white striped head could be mistaken for a (white morph) White-throated Sparrow, but soon you notice the absence of the white throat patch and lack of yellow lores (the yellow patch near inside corner of eye). The shape of the White-crowned Sparrow's head is also different, flatter, less-rounded, though sometimes they raise the feathers on their head.
White-crowned Sparrow adult
I'd only seen adult white-crowneds in the yard before, so when a number of immature white-crowneds came through this fall, they threw me for a loop at first.
White-crowned Sparrow immature
Again, at a quick glance, you could think tan morph White-throated Sparrow. But again, no throat patch or yellow lores. I'm just glad there isn't a tan morph white-crowned!
White-throated Sparrow (tan morph)
White-crowned Sparrow immature
Are you still seeing migrating sparrows in your yard? If so, help them out on their journey by broadcasting a seed blend like WBU Deluxe Blend, which contains the white millet seeds they enjoy.
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