White Crowned Juvenile (zonotrichia leucophrys)

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  atricapillus

• Mar 7, 2005

Nice shot, but is this an imm. Golden-crowned Sparrow? The bill is largely yellow instead of pink, and it seems to have a weak head pattern with a few yellow feathers flecked into the crown.
CHEERS, JOE G

 

• 

  Leslie

• Mar 7, 2005

Well, I had to get my book out and really study it. I'm still leaning towards white crown, as the golden crowneds have gray bills. I also photographed golden crowneds that day and the two species hang out together. I wonder if they hybridize? We'll see what others think. Thanks for taking a look and commenting

 

• 

  Muskrat

• Mar 7, 2005

There is a photo in the "Beadle and Rising" book of "Sparrows of the U.S. and Canada" that looks very much like this....it is identified as a first winter White-crowned Sparrow...so I think you may be right, Leslie.
Muskrat

 

Supporter

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  KC Foggin

• Mar 7, 2005

Lovely shot Leslie. It sure has that fresh look of innocense huh?

 

• 

  Joe A.

• Mar 7, 2005

Beautiful setting! Pretty to look at.

 

• 

  Forcreeks

• Mar 7, 2005

Very pretty shot... I like the green behind the green(ery). I just took Golden-crowned 2 days ago... has grayer bill, and yellowish lores. Bill is nothing like this bright yellow. Steve

 

• 

  jvhigbee

• Mar 7, 2005

My White-crowns haven't even arrived here yet and you have juvies? Taint fair.

 

• 

  atricapillus

• Mar 7, 2005

Howdy,
Am inclined to withdraw my question. Apparently west coast WCSPs are a little different than those we get here in OK. Sibley's drawing actually matches this bird, and GCSPs should have gray bills, Pacific WCSPs have yellow.
Learn something all the time. Very nice photo----thanks.
CHEERS, JOE G.