The golden-crowned sparrow is a large New World sparrow found in the western part of North America.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Breeds in shrubby tundra, willow thickets, and brushy edges from coastal and interior Alaska into northwestern Canada. During migration and winter it occupies coastal scrub, chaparral, hedgerows, weedy fields, gardens, and forest edges from British Columbia south through California and into Baja California. It forages mostly on or near the ground in dense cover, frequently along trails and clearings. Wintering birds often occur in suburban landscapes with thick shrubs and feeding stations.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large New World sparrow of the Pacific slope, it breeds in Alaska and western Canada and winters along the western United States into Baja California. Its clear, descending three-note song is often remembered as the mnemonic “oh-dear-me.” In winter it frequently forms flocks, often mingling with White-crowned Sparrows, and readily visits backyard feeders.
The size and color of its crown patches help to determine a bird's status among its flock mates.
Immature birds lack the distinctive head stripes of adults.
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flights
Social Behavior
Often forms small to medium flocks in winter, frequently mixing with other sparrows. On the breeding grounds pairs are territorial; nests are usually on or near the ground concealed in dense vegetation. The female builds a cup nest and incubates, while both parents feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a series of 2–3 clear, descending whistles, commonly rendered as “oh-dear-me.” Calls include thin tseet or tsip notes, with sharper chips when alarmed.
Plumage
Brown, streaked upperparts with gray-brown to gray underparts and a relatively plain face; adults show a bright golden crown bordered by black lateral stripes. The back is finely streaked, wings show faint wingbars, and the tail is medium length and notched. Immatures and winter birds have duller, less sharply defined crown markings.
Diet
Eats a wide variety of grass and weed seeds, buds, and small fruits, especially in fall and winter. In spring and summer it supplements with insects and other arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It often scratches with both feet to uncover food and will visit feeders for millet, cracked corn, and sunflower chips.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the ground and in low vegetation within dense shrubs, edges of thickets, and weedy patches. In winter it is common in brushy parks, gardens, and coastal scrub where cover is abundant.
