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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 Sparrownests 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
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