The small sparrow with a black throat that you are describing sounds like it could be a few different species. Based on the size and coloration, the most likely candidates are the Song Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Swamp Sparrow. Let’s take a closer look at each of these species to determine which one best matches your description.
Song Sparrow
The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is a very common songbird found throughout most of North America. These small sparrows reach lengths of 4.7-6.7 inches and have a wingspan of 7.1-9.4 inches. Their most distinguishing feature is the dark brown streaks on their light brown chest and flanks. The throat and breast are white with dark streaking in the center. There is also a distinctive dark brown spot in the middle of the streaked breast.
Male Song Sparrows have a gray crown, brown back streaked with black, and a brown tail and wings. Females and immatures are similar but with a browner crown and paler underside. The dark streaking on the throat and breast gives the impression of a black throat from a distance.
Song Sparrows thrive in open, shrubby habitats and forest edges. They can be found across the continent in backyards, parks, marshes, and overgrown fields. These widespread sparrows usually stay year-round throughout most of their range.
Key Identifying Traits
- Small size (4.7-6.7 inches)
- Brown streaking on white chest and flanks
- Dark central breast spot
- Gray crown (male), brown crown (female/immature)
- Dark-streaked white throat
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) is a smaller, more reclusive sparrow of the American West. Adults reach 5.1-5.9 inches in length with a wingspan around 8.7 inches. These shy birds have light brown upperparts streaked with black and gray. The chest is light buff colored with finer streaks of black, while the cheeks and throat are distinctly gray.
The most recognizable feature of Lincoln’s Sparrow is the buff-colored breast with a central dark spot. Their face is gray with a brown crown, brown wings with two distinct whitish wing bars, and a notched brown tail. Sexes are similar in appearance.
This species breeds in wet meadows, forest openings, and shrublands in western mountains and boreal forests. They migrate to the southern U.S. and Mexico for winter. Lincoln’s Sparrows tend to skulk in dense, low vegetation and can be difficult to observe in the open.
Key Identifying Traits
- Small size (5.1-5.9 inches)
- Gray cheeks and throat
- Buff-colored chest with central spot
- Brown back streaked black and gray
- Two white wing bars
Swamp Sparrow
The Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) is a wetland species that occurs over much of North America. With a length of 4.7-6.3 inches and wingspan around 7.5-9.4 inches, it is a small sparrow similar in size to the Song Sparrow. Adults have rusty-colored wings, back, and tail with black streaking throughout. The face and throat are gray while the chest is pale gray with a dark central spot.
Swamp Sparrows show brighter rusty coloring along the wings than other small sparrows. Their throat is gray with a distinct dark line bordering the white cheek. Legs are pinkish compared to the yellowish legs of Song and Lincoln’s Sparrows. Males and females are identical in appearance.
As their name implies, Swamp Sparrows occupy marshes, swamps, wet meadows, and the edges of ponds across North America. They thrive in dense, shrubby vegetation interspersed with open water. During winter they withdraw from the northernmost parts of their range.
Key Identifying Traits
- Small size (4.7-6.3 inches)
- Bright rusty wings and back
- Gray throat and face
- Dark line on gray cheek
- Pink legs
Comparison of Species
Here is a quick comparison of some key traits to differentiate these three small sparrow species:
| Species | Size | Throat Color | Breast | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song Sparrow | 4.7-6.7 in | Dark-streaked white | Heavily streaked with central spot | Widespread |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | 5.1-5.9 in | Gray | Finely streaked with central spot | West |
| Swamp Sparrow | 4.7-6.3 in | Gray | Plain gray with central spot | Widespread |
Conclusion
Based on this overview, the small sparrow species that best matches the description of having a small size and a black throat is likely the Song Sparrow. The dark streaking on the white throat can appear mostly black from a distance. This is a very common and widespread species that occurs in appropriate scrubby habitat across North America.
Lincoln’s Sparrow’s gray throat also appears darker from afar, but this species has a more limited range concentrated in western states. Swamp Sparrows also have gray throats but prefer wetland habitats over drier scrublands. While the description given could fit any of these three sparrows, the widespread and numerous Song Sparrow is the most likely candidate for a small sparrow with a black throat.
Distinguishing between similar sparrow species can be tricky, but paying close attention to throat and breast color patterns, size, range maps, and habitat preferences helps identify the birds. With good binocular views and clear photographs, it becomes easier to note the subtle differences in markings and confirm identifications.
