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Photo by Erin Guinn
Photo Copyright Erin Guinn
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S3N
External links
General information
The golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla, breeds in Canada and western Canada, and winters in southwestern Canada, the western coastal United States, and northern Baja California. In Utah this species is rare in winter, mostly in the southwestern corner of the state. The breeding habitat of this species is the forest-tundra edge, but in migration and on its wintering grounds this bird frequents a variety of brushy habitats including chaparral and riparian thickets. This species is omnivorous, consuming seeds, buds, flowers, fruits, and terrestrial arthropods.
This species usually nests on the ground but sometimes constructs its nest as much as three feet above the ground in shrubs or small trees. Three to five (typically four) eggs are incubated by the female parent alone for eleven to thirteen days. Both parents tend the nestlings, which leave the nest after nine to ten days.
Species range
BREEDING: western and northern-central Alaska south through western Canada to extreme northern Washington. NON-BREEDING: primarily from southern Alaska and southern British Columbia south (mainly west of Cascades and Sierra Nevada) to northern Baja California, southern California, and southern Arizona (AOU 1983).
Migration
Begins northward migration in April, arrives in nesting areas in May (Terres 1980).
Habitat
Subalpine meadows; thickets along streams; boreal bogs. Montane thickets and shrubbery, dwarf conifers and brushy canyons; in migration and winter in dense brush, thickets, chaparral and gardens (AOU 1983). BREEDING: Usually nests on or near ground, in bank beneath overhanging plants or at base of shrub.
Food habits
Eats flowers, buds, seeds, fruit, and some insects. Usually forages on the ground. Winter food is predominantly vegetable matter (Oberholser 1974).
Reproductive characteristics
Clutch size usually 3-5.
References
- Norment, C. J., P. Hendricks, and R. Santonocito. Golden-crowned sparrow. Birds of North America 352: 1–19.
- Baicich, P. J., and C. J. O. Harrison. 1997. A guide to the nests, eggs, and nestlings of North American birds. 2nd ed. Academic, San Diego. 347 pp.
