Sparrows with Yellow on Head [the World of Head-Turning Little Birds]

Sparrows are a familiar sight For birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. But some species stand out with their bright and cheerful yellow hues on their heads.

This article will explore eight sparrows with yellow feathers on their heads. Read on to discover their fascinating world, from their natural habitats to their diet and behavior.

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)

The Golden-crowned Sparrow inhabits the western regions of North America, from Alaska to California. 

Male and female Golden-crowned Sparrows have similar appearances, with a bright yellow central crown stripe and a narrower, black border on their heads. 

Baby Golden-crowned Sparrows have a duller yellow crown with brownish stripes. 

These sparrows are about 6 to 7 inches long with a wingspan of 8 to 9 inches and weigh between 0.8 and 1 ounce.

They’re common in open areas such as fields, meadows, marshes, gardens, and parks during the winter months. 

They feed on seeds and insects. Their preferred breeding habitat is shrubby areas near water sources.

Interesting Facts

• In the summer, these sparrows migrate to the subarctic regions of Alaska and Canada to breed.

• These sparrows live up to 10 years and six months in the wild, with some sparrows surviving up to 11 years.

• Gold-crowned Sparrows perform communal singing, where several individuals sing in unison during the breeding season. 

Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni)

Nelson’s Sparrow is a small New World bird with a bright yellow patch on its head. You can find these sparrows along the coast of the United States, from Maine to Maryland. 

These sparrows are 4.3 to 5.2 inches long with a wingspan of 6.5 to 7.9 inches and 0.6 to 0.7 ounces in weight.

Nelson’s Sparrows primarily feed on insects and seeds but will also eat small crustaceans and mollusks when available in their coastal habitat. 

They prefer to live in dense marshes and wetlands with tall vegetation. They build their nests in tall grasses near the ground, often close to water sources. 

Interesting Facts

• The Nelson’s Sparrow is named after the famous ornithologist Edward William Nelson, who discovered the species in the 1800s.

• During the breeding season, males construct multiple grass-lined nests within their territory to attract females.

• The Nelson’s Sparrow hybridizes with other sparrows, including the Saltmarsh and the Sharp-tailed Sparrows, creating unique offspring with varying characteristics. 

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

The White-throated Sparrow is found throughout North America. These sparrows have a white chest, a striped head with feathers above the eyes, and a brown body. 

White-throated Sparrows primarily live in forested areas, preferring deciduous and mixed woodlands, shrublands, and forest edges.

These sparrows have a varied diet, including seeds from various plants, fruits, and insects like butterflies, beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.

These sparrows typically measure 6 to 7.5 inches in length, with a wingspan of about 9.1 inches and a weight of 0.78 to 1.13 ounces.

They’re sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have slightly different markings and colors. 

Males have more vivid black and white stripes on their heads, while females have duller colors.

Interesting Facts

• White-throated Sparrows are an important part of their ecosystem. They help control insect populations and distribute seeds throughout their habitat.

• During the winter, White-throated Sparrows gather with other sparrow species to forage for food together, a behavior called “mixed-species foraging flocks.” 

• White-throated Sparrows have two distinct songs used for different purposes. One for establishing territory and the other for attracting mates.

Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)

The Grasshopper Sparrow is one of the smallest passerines with camouflaged plumage and yellow color above the eyes. 

The bird is primarily found in open grasslands and meadows throughout North America.

Grasshopper Sparrow measures around 3.9 to 5.5 inches in length and weighs about 0.3 to 0.5 ounces with a wingspan of 6.9 inches. 

These sparrows build their nests in tall grass or under shrubs and bushes on the ground in their grassland habitat.

These sparrows are ground-nesting birds that feed primarily on insects like grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, seeds, and grains.

Interesting Facts

• Grasshopper Sparrows have adapted to their grassland habitat by developing a short, stubby tail that allows them to move through tall grasses easily.

• These sparrows are excellent long-distance migratory birds that travel from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. 

• Grasshopper Sparrows are frequent visitors in areas with agricultural activity. You can often find them in hayfields and pastures foraging for food.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

The Savannah Sparrow is a common bird in North America named after the grasslands where it lives. 

These sparrows have a distinctive yellow eyebrow stripe and a patch of yellow above their beak, making them easy to identify.  

They have an average size of 4.3 to 6 inches in length, 0.7 ounces in weight, and 7 to 10 inches in wingspan. 

These sparrows prefer open grassy areas such as prairies, meadows, and fields. You can also spot them in coastal dunes and salt marshes. 

They’re primarily insectivores, feeding on grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects. They may also consume seeds and berries when insects aren’t available.

Interesting Facts

• During breeding, males perform courtship displays, fluffing their feathers and hopping around to attract a mate.

• Despite their small size, Savannah Sparrows are hardy birds that withstand harsh weather conditions.

• Their nesting habits differ from typical sparrows, as they build nests on the ground in tufts of grass rather than in trees or bushes.

Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus)

The Seaside Sparrow is a small sparrow species found along the Atlantic coasts of the United States and the Gulf. 

These birds measure around 5.1 to 5.9 inches in length, 0.7 to 1 ounce, and 7.1 to 7.9 inches in wingspan and have a distinctive yellow patch in front of their eyes.

Seaside Sparrows inhabit salt marshes and tidal wetlands, where they forage for insects, small crustaceans, and seeds. 

Their diet can vary seasonally, with a greater reliance on insects during the breeding season and seeds in the winter.

Interesting Facts

• These birds have unique vocalizations, with males singing complex songs to attract mates and establish territory. 

• The Seaside Sparrow has a specialized digestive system that allows it to extract salt from its diet of salty marsh plants and brine shrimp.

• They build their nests by weaving grasses into a ball shape with an entrance on the side.

Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)

The Swamp Sparrow has a yellowish coloring above the eyes, adding to its unique rusty-red crown, dark-brown back, and rusty wings. 

These birds are widespread throughout North America and are primarily found in wetlands, marshes, and swamps, which serve as their preferred habitat.

Swamp Sparrows have an average length of 4.7 to 5.9 inches, a wingspan of approximately 7.1 to 7.5 inches, and a weight of 0.5 to 0.8 ounces.

Their diet consists of seeds, small berries, and insects, especially during the breeding season, when they need more energy for their high activity levels. 

Interesting Facts

• Swamp Sparrows are territorial during the breeding season, making their presence known with their clear, piercing whistle song.

• Despite their name, Swamp Sparrows are not limited to swamps. You can also spot them in shrubby fields and meadows near waterways.

• Swamp Sparrows have a long migration pattern, traveling up to 3,000 miles to their wintering grounds.

LeConte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii)

The LeConte’s Sparrow is native to North America, Canada, and Southern-Central America, primarily inhabiting grassy areas.

These sparrows have vibrant yellow patches below and above their eyes, giving them a pop of color that sets them apart from other sparrows.

It’s a small bird, measuring around 4.7 to 5.1 inches long, with a wingspan of up to 7.1 inches and a weight of 0.4 to 0.6 ounces. 

You can spot LeConte’s Sparrows in wet meadows and marshes, often near shallow water bodies.

They breed in the prairie pothole region, especially in the northern states. Their diet primarily consists of insects, worms, seeds, and berries in their natural habitat. 

Interesting Facts

• LeConte’s Sparrow is named after John Lawrence LeConte, a prominent American entomologist.

• These sparrows form long-term pair bonds during breeding, with the male and female working together to build their nests and raise their young.

• They have a unique habit of crouching down in the grass, making it difficult to spot them in their natural habitat.