Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), Cave Creek Ranch, Cochise County

This Golden-crowned Sparrow was photographed by Tony Godfrey on 06 May 2008 at the feeders at Cave Creek Ranch.  It is one of two Golden-crowned Sparrows that wintered at Cave Creek Ranch this year.  A banded adult has spent two consecutive winters at the Ranch.

Golden-crowned Sparrow is a rare transient and winter visitor occurring annually.  It is most often found in large flocks of White-crowned Sparrows.  Immatures can be quite dingy with little yellow in the crown.  For those birds the gray bill is the best way to separate them quickly from White-crowned Sparrows. 

Golden-crowned Sparrow is a Sketch Details species.  Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under _documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

06 May 2008, photo by Tony Godfrey