| White-crowned sparrow | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Zonotrichia |
| Species: | Z. leucophrys |
| Binomial name | |
| Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forster, 1772) | |
 | |
| Range ofZ. leucophrys Breeding Migration Year-round Nonbreeding | |
Thewhite-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) is a species ofpasserine bird native toNorth America. A medium-sized member of theNew World sparrow family, this species is marked by a grey face and black and white streaking on the upper head. It breeds in brushy areas in thetaiga andtundra of the northernmost parts of the continent and in theRocky Mountains and Pacific coast. While southerly populations in the Rocky Mountains and coast are largely resident, the breeding populations of the northerly part of its range aremigratory and can be found as wintering or passage visitors through most of North America south to central Mexico.
The scientific name is fromAncient Greek. The genus nameZonotrichia is fromAncient Greekζώνη (zone,transl. band) andθρίξ (thrix,transl. hair). The species nameleucophrys is fromλευκός (leukos,transl. white) andὀφρῡ́ς (ophrus,transl. eyebrow).[2]
Adults have black and white stripes on their head, a gray face, brown streaked upper parts and a long tail. The wings are brown with bars and the underparts are gray. Their bill is pink or yellow. They are similar in appearance to thewhite-throated sparrow, but do not have the white throat markings or yellowlores.[3]
Measurements:[4]
There are five currently recognized subspecies of white-crowned sparrow (pugetensis,gambelii,nuttalli,oriantha, andleucophrys), varying in breeding distribution migratory route. Birds of the subspeciesnuttalli are permanent residents inCalifornia, while birds of the subspeciesgambelli may migrate as far as theArctic Circle during the summer breeding season. Northern birdsmigrate to thesouthern United States and northern Mexico.
Their breeding habitat is brushy areas across northernCanada and the western United States.
The white-crowned sparrow is a very rarevagrant towestern Europe.[5] It has been sighted in England, Scotland,[5][6] Ireland,[7] andNorway.[8] In 2008 a white-crowned sparrow was spotted inCley next the Sea inNorfolk, England.[9] To commemorate the event an image of the bird was included in a window atSt Margaret's Church.
These birds forage on the ground or in low vegetation, but sometimes make short flights to catch flyinginsects. They mainly eatseeds, other plant parts and insects. In winter, they often forage in flocks.[3]
White-crowned sparrows nest either low in bushes or on the ground under shrubs and lay three to five brown-marked gray or greenish-blue eggs.[3]
The white-crowned sparrow is known for itsunihemispheric slow-wave sleep, which allows it to stay half-awake for up to two weeks during migration.[10] This effect has been studied for possible human alertness applications inshift work andtruck driving.[11][12][13]
Recent studies by ornithologists includingElizabeth Derryberry have shown that white-crowned sparrow songs are affected by human activity and noise.[14]
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