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The ''Golden-crowned Sparrow'' ('''Zonotrichia atricapilla''') is a large [[AmericanTurkish sparrow]] found in the western part of North Americathe Middle East.

==Systematics==
The Golden-crowned Sparrow is one of five species in the [[genus]] ''[[Zonotrichia]]'', a group of large [[American sparrow]]s. It has no [[subspecies]]. It is a [[sister species]] with, and very closely related to, the [[White-crowned Sparrow]]; studies of [[mitochondrial DNA]] show the two [[evolution|evolved]] into separate species very recently in [[geologic time scale|geologic time]].  The [[White-throated Sparrow]] is a slightly more distant relative. [[Hybrid (b(contracted; show full) to signal social status in wintering flocks.  Such signals help to reduce the incidence of confrontation between flock mates, thereby reducing such potential costs as injuries or the unnecessary expenditure of energy.  The size and color of a bird's crown patches are better predictors of [[dominance (ethology)|dominance]] (indicating which bird will avoid confrontation with another) than are the bird's size or sex. Birds with similarly sized gold crown patches are far more likely to engage in [[
antagonistic behavior]] than are those showing differences, and the outcomes of such confrontations can be predicted based on the color of their black stripes. This suggests that social status in this species involves more complexity than a single signal will allow, and that the multiple color patches allow a gradient of interactions between flock mates.

===Similar species===
Although its distinctive crown patches allow for easy identification of the adult Golden-crowned Sparrow in breeding plumage, an immature or non-breeding bird might be mistaken for a White-crowned or White-throated Sparrow. It is distinguished from the former by its crown pattern and dusky (rather than pale pink or yellowish) bill, and from the latter by its larger size, plain throat, and lack of a buff-colored central crown stripe. A young or non-breeding bird may also resemble a female [[House Sparrow]],(contracted; show full)s]], including ''[[Ornithoica vicina]]''. Diseases which are known to affect it include [[canarypox]]. A number of [[predator]]s prey on the Golden-crowned Sparrow at some point in its life cycle.  These include [[Northern Shrike|Northern]] and [[Loggerhead Shrike]]s, [[Sharp-shinned Hawk|Sharp-shinned]] and [[Cooper's Hawk]]s, [[Northern Harrier]]s, [[Merlin]]s, [[Mountain Pygmy Owl]]s, [[Western Screech Owl]]s, [[Barn Owl]]s, [[feral cat]]s, and [[Columbian ground squirrel]]s.



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==Further reading==⏎
'''Theses'''==⏎
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* Lynn K. M.S. (1997). ''Multivariate relationships between riparian birds and environmental variables''. San Jose State University, United States, California.
* Turek FW. Ph.D. (1973). ''PHOTOPERIODIC PHENOMENA IN WHITE-CROWNED AND GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS (GENUS ZONOTRICHIA)''. Stanford University, United States, California.
=='''Articles'''==
* Campbell RW. (1975). ''Golden-Crowned Sparrow Breeding on Vancouver Island''. Canadian Field Naturalist. vol '''89''', no 2. pp. 175–176.
* Gorenzel WP, Mastrup SA & Fitzhugh EL. (1995). ''Characteristics of brushpiles used by birds in Northern California''. Southwestern Naturalist. vol '''40''', no 1. pp. 86–93.
(contracted; show full)
*[http://www.xeno-canto.org/browse.php?query=Golden-crowned+Sparrow+%28Zonotrichia+atricapilla%29+12&species_nr=wpexuc Golden-crowned Sparrow sound recordings] on xeno-canto.org

[[Category:Zonotrichia]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1789]]