May 16, 2009 We are very much surprised
almost every day to still see the white crowned sparrow
hopping around with all the other ground feeders. Food Guy
optimistically hopes he won't move on to Northern Canada.
May
1, 2009 - A white crowned sparrow has stopped by on his
way from the warmer south to northern Canada. He
has been wandering around under the feeders enjoying the
enthusiastic overflow. Last year's visit was from May 6
to May 12. He's been here for 3 days so far and
seems to be alone. We spotted him with a song sparrow
and with a white throated sparrow.
The word sparrow derives from Anglo Saxon word spearewa which means
flutterer or any small bird. This particular little bird has
several ways to distinguish him from other sparrows- distinct black and
white striped crown and a pink bill.
The white crowned sparrow sings on an exposed perch to claim his
territory. He is such an enthusiastic singer, he may sing out by the
light of the moon or in the far north , throughout the night.
Grass and twig nests are built on the ground, usually at the base of
a tree. The white crowned sparrow will fly towards the nest, but stop a
few feet away and then walk there to avoid disclosing the location
of the nest to any potential predators. If necessary the female will wag
her tail feathers and run away to distract any invaders who do find her
precious eggs or nestlings.
Unfortunately we never get to see or hear any of the family process
in our northeast US area. The white crowned sparrow only migrates past
here on its way from nesting in Upper Canada to wintering in Southern
US. We were lucky to be able to play hosts one week in early May to
these traveling guests. Stop again on the way back!
 |
|
Size:
|
Length: 6.25-7.5 in
Weight: 1 oz Wingspan:
9.25-10.25 in
|
|
ID:
|
Male: Gray underside, face and nape; wings and back streaked
with black and brown; black stripes on white crown; two white
wing bars; very pale gray throat; brownish wash on sides and
flanks; short, sharp, pinkish bill; reddish brown anisodactylous
feet (three toes point forward and one toe points backward)
Female: Same as male
Juvenile: Similar to male except black stripe is reddish brown
and white stripe is grayish brown
|
|
Habitat:
|
Woodland, roadside hedges, meadows, gardens
|
|
Diet:
|
Insects, spiders, seeds (at ground feeders), and berries;
forages on ground and in vegetation by double scratching (slight
hop forward with both feet, then a sweep backward kicking aside
debris exposing any food)
|
|
Family Behavior:
|
Mating Habits: Monogamous, some polygynous; nonmigratory
pairs may mate for life; 1-4 broods per year
Local Breeding Period:
Breeds in Alaska and Northern Canada
Nests: Cup-shaped and bulky; made of grass, twigs, rootlets and
lined with fine grasses, hair and feathers; built by female;
placed on ground, shrub or small tree
Eggs: 3-5 greenish blue with reddish brown markings; female
incubates 11-14 days
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and
stay in nest 7-12days; male and female feed; male may feed one
brood while female builds new nest for new brood
|
|
Social Activities:
|
Solitary or in pairs; foraging flocks in winter; migrates in
groups of up to twenty
|
|
Range:
|
Breeding: Northern and western Canada and Alaska
Winter: Migrates to southern US
|
|
Vocalization:
|
Series of whistled note followed by a trill; call sharp pink
|
|
Lifespan: |
Up to 13 years |
