Zonotrichia albicollis

tags: white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, birds, Image of the Day White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, 1st winter plumage. Image: Kevin T. Karlson [larger view]. This morning, I ran into a little bird at the entrance to the library where I go every day. I was actually distracted, but out of the corner of my eye I noticed this was a white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, instead of the ubiquitous house (english) sparrows. Not only are white-throated sparrows the sister species to my dissertation bird, the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys, but…