White-throated Sparrow

As its name indicates, the 6-inch White-throated Sparrow has a white throat, but it also has a white-and-black-striped crown, a yellow patch in front of its eye, a streaked brown back, and a gray breast. Male and female look the same. Immature birds have tan-and-brown-striped crowns. Its know as the scratcher. It is often heard in thickets and it scratches up snow or dead leaves in search of food. It lives in undergrowth and edges of fields and forests, backyards and gardens. It likes to eat weed seeds and the fruits of trees and shrubs, for which it forages on the ground in thickets; insects and other animal matter when available. White-throated Sparrows nest on or close to the ground under brush piles or fallen trees. The female builds a grass nest and lines it with pine needles and bark fibers for the 3 to 5 cream-colored eggs, heavily dotted with brown. She incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days. Young leave the nest at about 10 days and learn to fly a few days later. Offering red and white millet and crocked corn on or near the ground will attract the White-throated Sparrow to your backyard.

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