The White-throated Sparrow is an abundant and widespread species in Canada ranging from British Columbia and Yukon Territory to Newfoundland and Labrador. The results from the Christmas Bird Count and Breeding Bird Survey indicate a decrease in the population since about 1970, but no major threats or conservation concerns are currently identified. With more than 95% of the global breeding population, Canada's responsibility for the species is very high. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
This habitat generalist, preferring shrubby edges, early successional stages and openings, garners few conservation concerns in Canada. However, as a nocturnal migrant, the White-throated Sparrow is susceptible to collisions with lighted buildings. A review of mortality from window collisions (Machtans et al. 2013) found that sparrows were one of the most commonly killed birds, although it was not possible to determine species-specific mortality. The White-throated Sparrow was among the top three of 164 most common species killed by collisions with buildings in Toronto (M. Mesure, pers. comm. in Falls and Kopachena 2010).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
