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Species Spotlight: Golden-crowned Sparrows

Species Spotlight: Golden-crowned Sparrows

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Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2017

Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2017

Seet, seet, seet. I hear a high-pitched call coming from the bushes and my heart jumps for joy – our winter sparrows have arrived! I crouch down to take a peek at the activity on the ground while being careful to not disturb the birds and find one of my favorite winter sparrows: the Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2016

Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2016

This little, brown sparrow has a brilliant golden crown nestled in between two thick dark lines on its crown. During the winter the gold and black is turned down a notch in brightness for its non-breeding plumage, which is what we typically see in the Bay Area.

Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2017

Golden-crowned Sparrow on Broccoli, 2017

Watch for these sparrows in mixed flocks as they forage on the ground and trees for food. They are often found alongside White-crowned Sparrows which are remarkably similar but with white and black stripes down its head that looks like a skunk. I absolutely adore the songs of the Golden-crowned sparrows. To me it’s a melancholy yet sweet song that transports me to a cozy home in the winter.

Species Spotlight: Song Sparrows

Species Spotlight: Song Sparrows

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Song Sparrow, 2016

Song Sparrow, 2016

A common sparrow in the Bay Area is the aptly-named song sparrow. This little, striped, brown bird has a variety of songs and calls ranging from a dancing musical tune to a slightly raspy cheep call that to me sounds like a bit like a wren.

When I first began birding, it was challenging for me to identify this LBJ (little brown job) as it can stick its tail straight up like a wren! A key field marker is the blend of blurry stripes down its chest that frame a bigger splotch in the middle. Song sparrows also has a thick “eyeliner” behind its eye and a general brown stripy look with a white chest.

Song Sparrow, 2017

Song Sparrow, 2017

I often find song sparrows rummaging on the ground in bushes or climbing around cattails like a marsh wren. They are not too shy and can pose prettily for glamor shots. If you find one, spend a little time observing it and wait for it to sing a song.