Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) - HBW 16, p. 547

French: Bruant à couronne dorée German: Kronenammer Spanish: Chingolo Coronidorado

Taxonomy: Emberiza atricapilla J. F. Gmelin, 1789, “in Sinu Natka, et insulis Sandwich” = Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA.
Genus probably close to Junco. Present species perhaps most closely related to Z. leucophrys, with which it sometimes hybridizes; hybridizes less frequently with Z. albicollis. Monotypic.

Distribution: Breeds in Aleutian Is (E from Unimak I and Shumagin Is) and W & NC Alaska, W Canada (C Yukon and probably SW Northwest Territories S to S British Columbia and SW Alberta) and adjacent USA (extreme NW Washington). Non-breeding from S Alaska and S British Columbia S to SW USA (S to W California and E Nevada) and NW Mexico (N & C Baja California, rarely S to Sonora).