White-crowned Sparrow juvenile

Description:

The White-crowned Sparrow is a large sparrow, related to the White-throated Sparrow with which it often associates. It has black-streaked brownish upperparts, gray cheeks, throat, breast, and belly, and brownish flanks. Its head is boldly striped with black and white. Juveniles are heavily streaked below and have fine crown streaks. First winter birds have the boldly striped head pattern of adults, but in brown and tan rather than black and white.

Habitat:

The Sweetwater Wetlands is a water treatment facility, an urban wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom. As a water treatment facility, it is one of the most important facets of the City's Reclaimed Water System. Treated water filters through sediments beneath recharged basins and replenishes the local aquifer. This reclaimed wastewater is recovered by extraction wells during periods of high water demand and distributed for reuse in Tucson's golf courses, parks, schools and other large turf irrigation areas. As an urban wildlife habitat, the Sweetwater Wetlands is a tranquil park where visitors can view native wildlife in an urban setting. This water-rich streamside riparian zone supports a huge variety of wildlife including dragonflies, raccoons, hawks, bobcats and dozens of other species that make the wetlands their full- or part-time home. As an outdoor classroom, the Sweetwater Wetlands provides an environmental, educational experience in natural laboratory settings for teaching about ecology and water resource management. The wetlands helps establish and enhance the wildlife population in harmony with Tucson's urban environment.

Notes:

White-crowned Sparrows are among the most common of Sonoran Desert birds during the winter months, October through March. However, during the summer they are completely absent because they return to their breeding grounds in northern United States and Canada. The pinkish bill and sharply marked crown are distinctive. Juvenile birds are common during the winter and have the crown streaked with rufous, brown and buff.