Damage and Damage Identification

White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys (left) and golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla (right)

The crowned sparrows are involved in crop depredations over a wide area and upon a great variety of crops. Newly sown lawn grass and garden and flower seedlings are often completely consumed. Waves of migrating crowned sparrows have been known to destroy every small flower and vegetable plantlet in home gardens. The damage is most severe in areas adjacent to brushy river bottoms. Extensive damage often occurs to commercial plantings of lettuce, broccoli, sugar beets, alfalfa, and grain. Depredations are most noticeable in field crops that are adjacent to river bottom brush or weedy fields or have shrubbery or trees planted for windbreaks. Damage occurs along the margins of the fields near dense cover favored by these birds and is usually limited to the outer 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m) of the field. Seedlings are often consumed by crowned sparrows when crop seeds germinate and emerge from the soil. Damage normally stops when the seedlings reach a height of 3 or 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm).

Crowned sparrows play a minor role in debudding almond and other deciduous fruit trees. Occasionally, a few trees near a wood or brush pile may be severely attacked. Depredations increase as the buds swell.

Legal Status

Crowned sparrows are classified as migratory nongame birds in the Code of Federal Regulations. Depredation permits are required from the US Fish and Wildlife Service before any control activities can be initiated. Crowned sparrows may be controlled in California under the general supervision of the county agricultural commissioner.