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Golden-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia atricapillaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Golden-crowned Sparrow Portrait
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General

Golden-crowned Sparrow: Large sparrow with brown-streaked upperparts and plain gray breast. Yellow crown is bordered by a wide black cap; cheek and collar are black. Bill is gray. Wings are brown with two white bars. Sexes are similar. Winter adult is duller and shows a reduced black cap and fine black eye stripe. Juvenile has heavily streaked white underparts and a dull yellow crown faintly bordered with brown.

Range and Habitat

Golden-crowned Sparrow: Breeds from western Alaska south to northwestern Washington. Spends winters from Kodiak Island and coastal Alaska south to Baja California. Preferred habitats include alpine meadows and coniferous forest clearings; winters in coastal brushlands and chaparral.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"oh-dear-me", "I'm so weary", "tseet", "chink"

Interesting Facts

 Golden-crowned Sparrow nests are usually dug into the ground or placed in a depression so their rims are even with the ground.

 Each bird has its own feeding spot at the bird feeder. Even when there are no other birds around, it uses its spot exclusively.

 A group of Golden-crowned Sparrows are collectively known as a "reign" of sparrows.



Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for Golden-crowned Sparrow
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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family Buntings, Finches, Sparrows (Emberizidae)_blue
Species Zonotrichia atricapilla
Length7 Inches
Wingspan9.75 Inches

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow: Large sparrow, brown-streaked upperparts and plain gray breast. Yellow crown is bordered by a wide black cap; cheek and collar are black. Bill is gray. Wings are brown with two white bars. Short flights, alternates rapid wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides.

● Song: "oh-dear-me", "I'm so weary", "tseet", "chink"

● Foraging & Feeding: Golden-crowned Sparrow: Diet consists of seeds, insects, flowers, buds, small seedlings, fruits, and berries; forages on the ground and in low foliage.

● Breeding & nesting: Golden-crowned Sparrow: Three to five creamy white to pale blue eggs with brown blotches are laid in a neat nest cup well hidden in a dense weed clump or bush. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Golden-crowned Sparrow: Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow has a pink to orange bill, brown striped head, and a buff back with rufous streaks. House Sparrow has a heavier bill, shorter tail, and is paler brown overall.

Flight Pattern

Short flights wih rapid wing beats.
Golden-crowned Sparrow Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Golden-crowned Sparrow: Breeds from western Alaska south to northwestern Washington. Spends winters from Kodiak Island and coastal Alaska south to Baja California. Preferred habitats include alpine meadows and coniferous forest clearings; winters in coastal brushlands and chaparral.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationFairly common
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.1 Ounces