White-throated Sparrow - Ross Feldner Known for its clear song, “Poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody” the White-throated Sparrow has head stripes of either tan or white. Studies have shown some interesting differences in behavior between the two versions much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! White-striped White-throated Sparrows are more aggressive, sing more, and provide less parental care, while tan-striped sparrows are more passive, better parents, and focus on nest duties. To make things even more confusing they almost always pair with the opposite color morph for breeding. You will usually see them foraging on the ground under or near thickets or in low vegetation by kicking backward with both feet simultaneously. (Watch video in Fun Facts). Their main diet consists of seeds, insects and berries. White-throated Sparrows breed in central Canada and New England building their nest either on the ground under shrubs or low in trees in deciduous or mixed forest areas. New Englanders tell the story of a farmer, named Peverly, who was trying to decide if it was time yet to plant wheat in his fields. As he pondered, he heard a bird singing "Sow wheat, Peverly, Peverly, Peverly!" So he sowed then, and that fall he harvested a record crop. | |
