A medium-sized member of the New World sparrow family, this species is marked by a grey face and black and white streaking on the upper head.

[2] Adults have black and white stripes on their head, a gray face, brown streaked upper parts and a long tail.

[3] Measurements:[4] There are five currently recognized subspecies of white-crowned sparrow (pugetensis, gambelii, nuttalli, oriantha, and leucophrys), varying in breeding distribution migratory route.

[3] White-crowned sparrows nest either low in bushes or on the ground under shrubs and lay three to five brown-marked gray or greenish-blue eggs.

[11][12][13] Recent studies by ornithologists including Elizabeth Derryberry have shown that white-crowned sparrow songs are affected by human activity and noise.