The genus Zonotrichia is a group of sparrows we enjoy throughout much of North America especially in winter. In Washington we get to study flocks of crowned sparrows (the common name for this group of sparrows) consisting mostly of White-crowned and Golden-crowned sparrows, but we look through the flocks carefully hoping to find the unusual White-throated sparrow or Harris's sparrow.
Here are a few photos from this winter's outings:
This adult white-crowned sparrow is of the common Pugetensis subspecies that breed locally.
Juvenile White-crowned sparrow. In WCSP the juveniles have tan rather than black stripes, whereas in White-throated sparrows, more common in the eastern U.S. there are two morphs of adult White-throated sparrows, tan and black striped.
Golden-crowned sparrows in winter can be fairly brightly marked, like this individual, or can be so drab that they require a close look to identify.
This winter we have had an obliging Harris's sparrow that has made both our 2017 and 2018 county and state lists.
With fairly distinct field-marks, gregarious nature making flocks fairly easy to find and study, and both calls and songs that are distinctive the Zonotrichia sparrows are great sparrows to learn for beginning birders, and give the challenge of finding rarities for listers.
Good birding.
