Golden-crowned sparrow
Golden-crowned sparrow Temporal range:
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Adult; males and females are similarly plumaged | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Passerellidae |
Genus: | Zonotrichia |
Species: | Z. atricapilla
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Binomial name | |
Zonotrichia atricapilla (Gmelin, 1789)
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Range of Z. atricapilla Breeding Migration Nonbreeding
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Synonyms | |
Emberiza atricapilla Gmelin, 1789 |
The golden-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) is a large New World sparrow found in the western part of North America.
Systematics
The golden-crowned sparrow is one of five species in the
Ornithologist
In the bird's scientific name, the genus name Zonotrichia is a compound word: from
Description
Measuring 15–18 cm (6–7 in) in length
In the breeding season, the golden-crowned sparrow has a broad yellow central crown stripe which becomes pale gray towards the back of the head.[9]
Similar species
Although its distinctive crown patches allow for easy identification of the adult golden-crowned sparrow in breeding plumage, an immature or non-breeding bird might be mistaken for a white-crowned or white-throated sparrow. It is distinguished from the former by its crown pattern and dusky (rather than pale pink or yellowish) bill, and from the latter by its larger size, plain throat, and lack of a buff-colored central crown stripe.[13] A young or non-breeding bird may also resemble a female house sparrow, but can be distinguished by its larger size, darker plumage, longer tail and (usually) some amount of dull yellow feathering on its forehead.[14]
Distribution and habitat
The golden-crowned sparrow is common along the western edge of North America. It is a migratory species, breeding from north-central Alaska (including the
Behavior
The golden-crowned sparrow spends its winters in
Feeding
Like other Zonotrichia sparrows, the golden-crowned sparrow feeds on the ground,
The species shows two weight peaks each year: one in mid-winter, and a much higher one shortly before it begins its migration north in the spring. The latter elevated weight is maintained until the bird reaches its breeding grounds.[20]
Breeding and lifespan
The breeding season runs from late May through early August. Males on the breeding ground sing throughout the day from an exposed perch.
The oldest known golden-crowned sparrow lived at least 10 years and 6 months; it was banded as an adult one winter, and recaptured nine winters later.[22]
Voice
The song is a three-note whistle, descending in pitch. It is very distinctive, and often described as oh-dear-me. The call also sounds like the words I'm so weary, so Alaskan gold miners along the trails called this bird "Weary Willie". However, birds in the mountains of British Columbia have been reported to have a trill on the third note, rather than a clear whistle as in other populations. These songs are heard mainly in the breeding season, but also in the wintering grounds just after fall migration as well as just before they take off for spring migration.[23] Like other Zonotrichia sparrows, it has a sharp, distinctive call note,[11] which is transcribed as tsew.[14]
Conservation and threats
The
As with other flock-living
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Rising (1996), p. 204.
- ^ a b c Rising (1996), p. 212.
- JSTOR 4088098.
- ^ a b c d e Rising (1996), p. 211.
- ^ Ridgway, Robert; Friedmann, Herbert (1901). The Birds of North and Middle America. Washington, DC, USA: Government Printing Office. pp. 333–336.
- ^ Jobling (2010), p. 414.
- ^ Jobling (2010), p. 59.
- ^ a b c d e Rising (1996), p. 209.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4236-0568-3.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-395-53376-5.
- ^ a b c Rising (1996), p. 210.
- ISBN 978-1-58238-090-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-547-15270-7.
- JSTOR 1363693.
- S2CID 3090654.
- ^ a b c d e f g "All About Birds: Golden-crowned Sparrow — Life History". The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Judd, Sylvester Dwight (1898). "Birds as Weed Destroyers". Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture. Washington, DC, USA: Department of Agriculture. p. 226.
- ISBN 978-0-520-05250-5.
- JSTOR 1363660.
- ^ Maynard, Charles Johnson (1890). Eggs of North American Birds. Boston, MA, USA: De Wolfe, Fiske and Co. p. 108.
- ^ Klimkiewicz, M. Kathleen. "Longevity Records of North American Birds: Coerebinae through Estrildidae" (PDF). Journal of Field Ornithology. 58 (3): 318–333.
- ^ Norment, C. J.; Hendricks, P.; Santonocito, R. (1998). "Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)". In Poole, A. (ed.). The Birds of North America Online. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ "Migratory Bird Program: Birds Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act". U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- JSTOR 1368958.
- ^ McClure, H. Elliott (Oct–Dec 1987). "The Occurrence of Chiggers, Neoshoengastia americana, among Chaparral Birds of Southern California" (PDF). North American Bird Bander. 12 (4): 148–150.
- .
- ^ McClure, H. Elliot (Spring 1984). "The Occurrence of Hippoboscid Flies on Some Species of Birds in Southern California" (PDF). Journal of Field Ornithology. 55 (2): 230–240.
- PMID 14656000.
Works cited
- Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, UK: Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- Rising, James D. (1996). A Guide to the Identification and Natural History of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada. San Diego, CA, USA: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-588971-1.
External links
- Golden-crowned sparrow media on the Handbook of Birds of the World's Internet Bird Collection website
- Golden-crowned sparrow photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Sounds on the xeno canto collection