Posted by Phil Pickering (208.46.229.62) on July 22, 2002 at 09:18:22:
In Reply to: sparrow posted by Phil Pickering on July 21, 2002 at 21:46:04:
After looking at a couple photos I'm pretty sure this is a Baird's Sparrow. In addition to what I previously mentioned, the very dark solid centers with thin pale buff fringes to the back/scaps/coverts creating a sort of scaly look, and the very bright pale buff/yellow suffusion to virtually the entire head and nape seem perfect for Baird's. It also looks like there are a few long solid streaks visible on the far sides of the lower breast (visible on the right) against a uniform pale background, not extending any lower, that look ideal for adult Baird's.
As far as I can tell, other possibilities, of which there are several, should either have more distinct face and crown patterning, an overall grayer, browner, or more orange and less bright buff-yellow background to the head/nape, a different colored crown stripe, more internal rufous in the mantle feathers, and/or streaking on the sides and flanks.
Cheers,
Phil