Sparrows
Golden-crowned Sparrows consume an almost entirely vegetarian diet while
on their wintering range. They eat buds and flowers, to the extent that
they may exact a toll on California gardens. They are especially fond
of sprouted seeds, including those of garden vegetables. Little is known
of their breeding biology, but it is thought that insects make up a
large percentage of their summer diet and that nestlings are fed nearly
100 percent insects.The Golden-crowned Sparrow, like other "crowned"
sparrows—the White-crowned (Z. leucophrys) and the White-throated (Z.
albicollis) sparrow—is a largish, relatively long-tailed sparrow with a
striking head pattern. It is a western species that largely replaces the
White-crowned Sparrow along the Pacific Coast and adjacent mountain
areas. Golden-crowned Sparrows breed in alpine and tundra areas from
Alaska to extreme northwest Washington. They frequent alder and willow
thickets, or dwarf conifers, often above or beyond the tree line as long
as there are sufficient numbers of small bushes and scrub. The song of
three, clear, whistled descending notes, (three blind mice or oh dear
me) is sung by males from exposed perches.
» Length: 5.5 inches
» Conical bill
» Brown crown
» Grayish face and supercilium
» Brown streak extends behind eye
» Thick malar streak
» Brown back with darker streaks
» Brown wings with some rust
» Underparts white with heavy dark streaks and central breast spot
» Long, brown, rounded tail
» Sexes similar
» Juvenile (Summer) similar to adult but buffier
» Considerable variation in plumage across its range from dark to rusty upperparts and in bill size and shape.
» Length: 5.5 inches
» Conical bill
» Brown crown
» Grayish face and supercilium
» Brown streak extends behind eye
» Thick malar streak
» Brown back with darker streaks
» Brown wings with some rust
» Underparts white with heavy dark streaks and central breast spot
» Long, brown, rounded tail
» Sexes similar
» Juvenile (Summer) similar to adult but buffier
» Considerable variation in plumage across its range from dark to rusty upperparts and in bill size and shape.
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