WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW

This migrating sparrow is a winter visitor to SoCal, spending its Summer in Alaska. Common in backyards in our canyon, especially those with feeders, the White-crowned Sparrow has prominent black and white head stripes, a yellowish-orange beak and gray breast. Juveniles have a similar head pattern to the adults, but their stripes are brown and gray.

Look for White-crowned Sparrows in areas that have safe tangles of brush, like rosemary bushes.