Local birding: The white-crowned sparrow

A common bird in our area, the white-crowned sparrow is often seen on branches or bushes about waist-high. Its yellow beak, long tail and bold black-and-white stripes make for easy identification. You might see it feeding on seeds or insects on the ground or in low bushes. Nests are often a few feet off the ground in shrubs, and usually contain three to five eggs.