Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
The Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) is a common new world sparrow found in 6 countries, weighing about 32 g. The golden-crowned sparrow is a large New World sparrow found in the western part of North America.
About the Golden-crowned Sparrow
The golden-crowned sparrow is a large New World sparrow found in the western part of North America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Measuring 15–18 cm (6–7 in) in length with a wingspan of 24.75 cm (9.74 in) and ranging from 19.0 to 35.4 g (0.67 to 1.25 oz) in mass, the adult golden-crowned sparrow is fairly large for an American sparrow. Like all Zonotrichia sparrows, it has a relatively long, square-tipped tail and a slightly peaked crown. Males and females are similarly plumaged, though males average slightly larger than females. Other than a plain gray nape, the adult's upperparts are grayish-brown, with broad brownish-black streaks on the back and scapulars, and an unstreaked rump. 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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Japan, Russia, Costa Rica.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in December. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Golden-crowned Sparrow?
- Measuring 15–18 cm (6–7 in) in length with a wingspan of 24.75 cm (9.74 in) and ranging from 19.0 to 35.4 g (0.67 to 1.25 oz) in mass, the adult golden-crowned sparrow is fairly large for an American sparrow. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Golden-crowned Sparrow?
- The Golden-crowned Sparrow is a small sized bird weighing about 32 g.
- Where can you see a Golden-crowned Sparrow?
- The Golden-crowned Sparrow occurs in 6 countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to a Golden-crowned Sparrow?
- The Golden-crowned Sparrow is most easily confused with the Rufous-collared Sparrow, the Harris's Sparrow and the White-crowned Sparrow.
- Is the Golden-crowned Sparrow endangered?
- The Golden-crowned Sparrow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Golden-crowned Sparrow for real
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