Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
PASSERELLIDAE Members: White-throated Sparrow 520
General Comments
One of the most abundant birds breeding in the boreal forests of North America is the White-throated Sparrow, though the birds are often at edges and around margins of bogs/muskegs. Not surprisingly, in winter, it is also abundant, and the winter range covers most of the eastern United States, including all of North Carolina. It is one of the most numerous birds in winter in the state, along with other finches such as the Dark-eyed Junco and the Song Sparrow. Tallies of over 1,000 birds are often made on CBC's. Favored habitats are "leafy" places such as deciduous forests with some to much understory and shrub cover, wooded borders, weedy fields, hedgerows, brush piles, and suburban yards with dense shrubbery. Unlike most songbirds, this species has two distinct color morphs (both numerous in the state); one has a white stripe over the eye and is brightly-colored, whereas the other has a tan stripe over the eye.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
S5N
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Winter resident. Common to abundant throughout, especially so along the Roanoke River floodplain. Mainly late Sep or early Oct to early May, but there are numerous records of stragglers in the summer. Peak counts:
Piedmont
Winter resident. Common to abundant essentially throughout, though slightly less numerous (common) in the foothills. Mainly early Oct to early May, but there are many summer records of non-breeders. Peak counts:
Mountain
Winter resident. Common to very common in the lower elevations, common in middle elevations, and less numerous above 4,500 feet. Can be abundant in migration. Mainly early Oct to early or mid-May. Numerous summer records of presumed non-breeders, including a few that represented singing males seemingly on territory. In no case was a pair of birds seen, nor was any other evidence of nesting (carrying food, juveniles, etc.) detected. Peak counts:
Finding Tips
None needed.