General Description: White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) are large, sexually monomorphic, sparrows. In adults, the breast is gray and unstreaked, the chin is white bordered by a black mustache (malar), the bill is gray, and the head has bold black and white stripes with yellow lores. White-throated Sparrows are similar to White-crowned Sparrows, except for the yellow lore.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae.

Favored Habitat: Brushy areas, forest edges, urban parks, and yards.

Where to Find: White-throated Sparrows are rare migrants through the Las Vegas area. Most breed in Canadian forests (taiga), and most winter in the southeastern US, but some populations winter along the Pacific Coast. Around Las Vegas, keep any eye out for them at Corn Creek, Floyd Lamb Park, and Torrance Ranch north of Beatty.