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White Crowned Sparrow - (Zonotrichia
leucophrys)
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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! |
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Size:
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Length: 6.25-7.5 in
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Weight: 1 oz
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Wingspan: 9.25-10.25 in
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ID:
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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
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Habitat:
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Woodland, roadside hedges, meadows,
gardens
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Diet:
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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)
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Family Behavior:
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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
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Social Activities:
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Solitary or in pairs; foraging flocks
in winter; migrates in groups of up to
twenty
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Range:
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Breeding: Northern and western Canada
and Alaska
Winter: Migrates to southern US
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Vocalization:
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Series of whistled note followed by a
trill; call sharp pink
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| Lifespan: |
Up to 13 years |
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