White-crowned Sparrow: Range and Habitat

White-crowned sparrows are common visitors to much of the United States during the winter, and they are often seen foraging in backyards and grasslands from late fall to early spring. But where do they go to reproduce? When is the best time to start hunting white-crowned sparrows in your yard? If you’ve ever wondered where they go every spring when they disappear, read on.

The white-crested sparrow breeds in northern Canada and parts of the western United States. They are usually seen throughout the United States during the winter, migrating as far south as Mexico in large numbers.

Along the west coast of the United States and further inland, mainly in Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, the white-crested sparrow is a permanent resident and can be seen foraging in grass, or in backyard shrubs and bushes Jump down, looking for fruit and buds all year round.

To learn more about the preferred habitats of white-crowned house sparrows, and to see where they may be seen at different times of the year, read on.

White-crowned sparrows are fairly common in the western states of the United States during the winter

What is the distribution range of the white-crowned sparrow?

White-crowned sparrows are found throughout much of North America, either for breeding, during migration, overwintering, or in some cases, year-round inhabiting their breeding grounds. During the winter, their range extends as far as Mexico, where many of the Arctic-breeding birds migrate annually to escape the coldest weather.

Where do white-crowned sparrows live in the United States?

The white-crested sparrow is a common and abundant species in the western United States, but is much rarer in the east and is considered a rare species in the far southeastern corner of the country.

In which states do white-crowned sparrows live?

The white-crowned sparrow is only a rare and occasional visitor in Florida and the far southeastern regions of Georgia and South Carolina. All other states have at least a transiting presence of the species, with migratory passages common in the northern and eastern parts of the country. Spring breeding grounds are located in parts of Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

The white-crested sparrow lives year-round along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and further inland, with permanent populations in Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and southern Idaho and Wyoming.

Southern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa and South Dakota welcomed a fall population increase, with sightings more frequent in western states than in the east. The largest wintering sparrows head to Mexico, but the species is widely distributed in the southern United States, and they don’t return to their northern breeding grounds until spring.

White-crowned sparrows are found in much of North America, either for breeding, overwintering in migratory passages, or in some cases staying in their breeding grounds year-round

Where do white-crowned sparrows live in Canada?

No white-crowned sparrow spends the winter in Canada and needs to travel south to areas where conditions are more tolerable in the central and southern United States, and further into Mexico.

Breeding is established on all but the iciest islands of northern Canada, and there are populations raising pups throughout the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and mainland Nunavut.

Further south, British Columbia and parts of western Alberta also breed, as well as eastern, northern Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. White-crowned sparrows can often be seen on their migrations in other parts of the country.

What is the habitat of the white-crowned sparrow?

In spring, white-crowned sparrows travel to breeding grounds in coniferous and tundra landscapes, where shrubs and jungles provide suitable habitat. Bare stony feeding grounds, dotted with clumps of dense bushes, provide ideal nesting sites.

During winter, white-crowned sparrows can be found living in areas with a variety of vegetation and landscape features, including hedgerows, desert scrub, scrubland, woodland edges and backyards, visiting bird feeders.

White-crested sparrow habitat varies by time of year

How rare are white-crowned sparrows?

How rare it is to see a white-crowned bird depends on your geographic location and what season it is. They are considered a widespread and abundant species across much of the United States, especially in the western regions during the winter.

Further north, white-crowned sparrows are not uncommon in spring. But the farther east you go, the less likely you are to see them in spring or winter.

Where is the best place to see the White-crowned Sparrow?

The farther west you go, the more common the white-crowned sparrow is, with the greatest numbers on the west coast of North America, from Alaska and British Columbia to California.

The best place to see the white-crowned sparrow is the west coast of North America, where the white-crowned sparrow is more common

When does the white-crowned sparrow come out?

Migrating white-crested sparrows begin to arrive at their wintering grounds from September, peak in October and the last to leave in mid-November.

Spring northward migration may start as early as mid-March, but white-crowned sparrows can be seen feeding on trail edges and under backyard feeders until April.

Do white-crowned sparrows stay in one place?

Migration patterns of white-crested sparrows vary widely, with some populations remaining in the same area throughout the year. Some migrate short distances, while others make long distance migrations of thousands of kilometers.

Closeup shot of a white crested sparrow feeding on the ground

Where do white-crowned sparrows live in winter?

Small populations in the American Southwest live year-round and do not fly further south in search of warmer weather. White-crowned sparrows that breed in Canada migrate south to southern and central Mexico and the southern states of the United States are common.

During the winter, white-crowned sparrows can often be seen feeding on roadsides, overgrown bushes, farm fields, backyards, and bushes.

How do white-crowned sparrows survive the winter?

In early fall, white-crowned sparrows migrate south to the United States from their breeding grounds in the icy far north of Canada and Alaska. The species cannot tolerate sub-zero conditions, and their survival depends on them overwintering in areas with warmer temperatures and abundant food resources.

Close-up of a female white-crested sparrow perched on a tree

Where do white-crowned sparrows live in summer?

Summer breeding grounds for the white-crowned sparrow include the arctic tundra and coniferous forest landscapes of northern Canada, and the coastal scrublands of the west coast of the United States.

In some parts of the United States, where winter temperatures are mild enough for their year-round nesting and foraging needs, white-crowned sparrows are permanent residents, feeding in woodlands, meadows, roadsides and backyard edges, and environment area nesting shrubby vegetation

Do white-crowned sparrows live in groups?

The white-crested sparrow is a territorial, solitary species during the breeding season and forms large flocks to feed and roost together during the winter.