Birds

The Predominately Western, Golden-crowned Sparrow

January 16, 2013 by Larry 7 Comments

At first glance you might not recognize this bird as a Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla). It is an immature bird with an indistinct yellowish forecrown with dark stripes on its crown (click on photos for full sized images).

The entire Golden-crowned Sparrow population migrates within North America between winter and summer ranges…

arriving in California in September and October, often foraging with White-crowned Sparrows. Even though it doesn’t show on the NatureServe range map above, Golden-crowned Sparrow vagrants have been recorded eastward to Ontario and Nova Scotia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; also south to Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Florida¹.

Note that even though this is a first winter bird, it has already attained the grayish-brown, unmarked breast and the black and brown streaked back of the adult bird.

This adult Golden-crowned Sparrow is more easily identified in its winter plumage.

and as the winter progresses…

the muted crown pattern of the wintering sparrow…

turns into the very distinctive breeding plumage of the Golden-crowned Sparrow, peaking in April with its bright yellow crown and broad black eyebrows.

Resources: ¹Birds of North America Online

Written by Larry

Larry Jordan was introduced to birding after moving to northern California where he was overwhelmed by the local wildlife, forcing him to buy his first field guide just to be able to identify all the species visiting his yard. Building birdhouses and putting up feeders brought the avian fauna even closer and he was hooked. Larry wanted to share his passion for birds and conservation and hatched The Birder's Report in September of 2007. His recent focus is on bringing the Western Burrowing Owl back to life in California where he also monitors several bluebird trails. He is a BirdLife Species Champion and contributes to several other conservation efforts, being the webmaster for Wintu Audubon Society and the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Urban Bird Foundation. He is now co-founder of a movement to create a new revenue stream for our National Wildlife Refuges with a Wildlife Conservation Pass.

7 Comments

Mary Howell Cromer January 17, 2013 at 1:35 pm
I don’t thiink that I have ever seen this species before, even in images. Lovely little chap! Sparrows always, always get be confused. I hope that you are enjoying your day~
Gretchen January 17, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Maryland also had a first winter juvenile with a flock of White-throats and White-crowneds a few years ago.
Gemma Wiseman January 17, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Beautiful macros and perspectives of this interesting little one! Especially love the detail in the second last photo! Interesting post!
Wendy Feltham January 17, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Thanks for this very informative post! When I lived in California, I loved hearing the distinctive song of the Golden-crowned Sparrow when it returned from its trip north. The three notes it sings are so lovely, so musical!
Stewart Monckton January 19, 2013 at 5:15 am
Juvenile plumage can really cause difficulties – especially when you have large number of similar species.
Thanks for linking to WBW.
Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne.
PS: sorry for slow reply – I’ve been out of internet range in Tasmania