Flocks of these big, brown, plain sparrows are a common sight in winter in western Oregon. By early spring their faded head markings become a beautiful gold, black and white, and their plaintive descending songs become frequently heard from almost any large brush pile.

They are an abundant migrant in western Oregon, less common farther east, and abundant in winter throughout the Willamette Valley.

Hear the song of the Golden-crowned sparrow

Photo by Dave Budeau, ODFW