This handsome little bird showed up at the bird bath today. It’s a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).

But this is also a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). Same species, but two different color morphs. The first image, a white-striped, and the second image, a tan-striped. A coloration that stays with each White-throated Sparrow for life. About 50% of males are white-striped and 50% are tan-striped. And likewise, 50% of females are white-striped and 50% are tan-striped.

Researchers have found that personality comes into play as well, with these color morphs. They have found that the white-striped White-throated Sparrows are more aggressive while the tan-striped White-throated Sparrows are more nurturing.

Such a complicated world of White-throated Sparrows.

____________________________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts, sign up here!