Sparrows & Finches

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia atricapilla

A large, handsome sparrow with a bright yellow crown bordered in black. One of the most distinctive sparrows of the Pacific coast, common on Kodiak during migration.

Where to look

Brushy thickets, beach edges, and alder scrub throughout Kodiak Island; common in spring and fall.

Habitat

Dense shrubbery and alder thickets.

Diet

Seeds, buds, berries, and insects.

Natural history note

The Golden-crowned Sparrow's mournful descending whistle is nicknamed 'Oh dear me' by Alaskan birders, and the song was used by the Tlingit people to forecast weather.