White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrows (6-6.5 in long) have a gray breast, a black-and-white striped head, and a pale beak. They prefer open areas with trees or shrubs nearby.

White-crowned Sparrows spend the summer in Alaska, northern Canada, and the mountains of British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Birds along the Pacific coast and in parts of the western interior don't migrate.

Could it be? White-throated Sparrows have a white throat and a yellow patch beside their eye. House Sparrows, introduced to North America in 1851, are chunkier (6-6.7 in long) with a shorter tail and stouter beak.

Did you know? Most White-crowned Sparrows migrate at night. Females tend to winter farther south than males.

See Also: Chipping Sparrow, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow

Forests are large areas of trees growing close together.

Grasslands are large open areas covered with grasses. They have very few trees or shrubs. This habitat includes prairies and tundra.

Mountains are very high areas of land with steep sides leading to a peak. They are often connected to other mountains as part of a mountain range.

Urban areas have a large population within a defined area. This includes villages, towns, and cities.