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Bird call
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) call
Two clear notes then a tinkling trill, from creosote and rocky desert slopes.
Listen to the Black-throated Sparrow call
A field recording of the Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) by Steve Taylor, shared on iNaturalist. Listen for the Black-throated Sparrow in desert and scrub habitats.
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Sounds similar
Birds that sound similar to the Black-throated Sparrow
These birds belong to the new world sparrow family, like the Black-throated Sparrow, so their calls can sound alike.
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Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
A dry even trill on one pitch; ticking smack notes when flushed.
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White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
Clear whistle then a buzzy jumble. San Francisco birds sing a local dialect.
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Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
A rising, catlike mewww and a buzzy trilled song from deep cover.
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California Towhee Melozone crissalis
A metallic chink note, often accelerating into a bouncing squeal duet.
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Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Three sharp introductory notes then a jumbled trill; a nasal chimp call.
Questions
Questions about the Black-throated Sparrow
What does the Black-throated Sparrow sound like?
Two clear notes then a tinkling trill, from creosote and rocky desert slopes. Listen to the recording above.
Which birds sound like the Black-throated Sparrow?
Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee and Song Sparrow sound similar.
Where can I hear the Black-throated Sparrow?
SongLark teaches it in its Birds of California course.
How can I learn the Black-throated Sparrow call?
In SongLark's Birds of California course, it comes in Level 10: The Deserts. SongLark teaches it by ear with real field recordings.
Courses
Learn this call in
SongLark teaches the Black-throated Sparrow in its Birds of California course. Each course plays real field recordings and brings every bird back for review just before you would forget it.
- In Birds of California, the Black-throated Sparrow comes in Level 10: The Deserts. That Level is about creosote flats, desert washes and the Colorado River.
Learn it with these birds in Level 10 of Birds of California
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Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
A harsh, low chuh-chuh-chuh-chuh, like a car that will not start.
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Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
Sharp chip notes and a loud, clear tsee-tsee-tsee whistle from desert brush.
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Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens
A soft, liquid, rising wurp from the top of a mistletoe-laden shrub.
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Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae
A thin, very high, rising-and-falling whistle, zing-zwiiing.
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Lucy's Warbler Leiothlypis luciae
A bright, quick trill that changes pitch partway through, from mesquite along desert rivers.
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Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis
A rolling, nasal churr and a sharp, repeated pit-pit-pit.
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Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris
A sharp pik and a descending, whinnying rattle.
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Common Raven Corvus corax
A deep, hoarse, croaking gronk, much lower than a crow, plus knocks and bell-like notes.
Get SongLark
Learn Black-throated Sparrow in SongLark
Install SongLark, sign in, and choose a course that teaches the Black-throated Sparrow.
- Your first course is free. When you first sign in, you choose one course to keep.
- On iPhone? SongLark is coming soon to the App Store.
- One account, every device. Your progress syncs between devices.