BirdCapeMay.org

Q: We have White-throated Sparrows singing in our yard (late November), is this normal?

A: Absolutely, White-throated Sparrows tend to migrate late in the fall. A few weeks ago, I heard the first of the season singing outside my office window so I knew they were returning for the winter. Besides singing during the mating season, White-crowned Sparrows sing during the winter. It's been said that White-throated Sparrows often sing at night when the moon is full.

White-throated Sparrows are a common winter bird in eastern woodlots and can be found in urban areas more frequently than most sparrows. They prefer the shelter of low shrubs and thickets and you can see them foraging in the leaf litter by scratching around with their feet.

They are named after their white throats and have a distinct song that is described as a slow series of five clear whistles that changes pitch once, on either the second or third note, often described as "Old Sam Peabody" or "Oh Sweet Canada." To hear a recording of this song visit All About Birds, created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Scroll down to "Sound" and click on "Listen to the songs of this species."