Posted by Spencer (68.38.135.91) on July 22, 2002 at 09:00:13:
My immediate impression was Baird's. I really have no idea why, I have never seen one before. I then proceeded to consult a field guide and I feel my guess to be not a bad one. The white sides to the tail are unique among most grassland sparrows except Vesper, but this Sparrow is much too colorful.
I didn't even realize this was a field mark if Baird's, but the finley striped back of the head is not a common attribute of many other sparrows.
Spencer Galen