.jpg)
"Answer"
This was definitely too hard. In fact, I wasn't sure that the
bird is actually identifiable from the combination of the two
photos until I actually wrote this up. The first key to recognize
is the streaking on the underparts which suggest a juvenile sparrow.
At this point, wise birders will simply ignore the quiz, but
we push bravely push on. In fact, it's going to be hard to identify
this bird even to genus, let along species. I promise not to
post any additional juvenile sparrows.
No juvenile in the genus piplio (towhees) shows a strongly contrasting supercilium from the eye line and the cap. And the bird doesn't look particularly good for anything in the genus calcarius (longspurs). Juvenile juncos have very short tails with white outer edges. Juvnile zonotrichia and melospiza sparrows a relatively distinct submoustachial line. Juvenile FOX SPARROW shows distinct blotching on the undersides. Juvenile ammodramus sparrows show the characteristic flat head of this genus, which appears to be at odds with the upper photo. Juvenile SAVANNAH SPARROW is heavily streaked on the underparts. Juvenile amphispiza sparrows don't show much warmth on the head and have more streaking on the underparts.
Juvenile LARK BUNTING shows the characteristic large white wing bar on the greater wing coverts even in juvenile plumage.Juvenile LARK SPARROW and VESPER SPARROW both show more streaking on the underparts and a well defined submoustachial stripe. Juvenile spizella sparrows all have prominent streaking on the underparts with the exception of BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. BCSP can be eliminated the dominantly gray head, contrasting strongly with the back coloration.
Finally, we are left with the genus aimophila. Astute observers might have come to this conclusion more or less immediately by the central tail feathers which are conspicuously barred dark. However, both CASSIN'S and BOTTERI'S SPARROW can be eliminated by the lack of a buffy wash and lack of dark streaking on the breast. BACHMAN'S SPARROW can be eliminated the absence of buffy wash and dusky spotting on the breast.
So the choice is between juvenile RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. RWSP usually has a grayish central stripe and the crown is streaked dusky which doesn't appear to be present in the lower photo. The tail in the upper photo shows some definite brown in it, which is better for RCSP. Any spotting on the breast is at best indistinct, which appears to be better for RCSP. The eye line appears to be rufous rather than dark, which is better for RCSP. The upper parts are brown streaked darker brown, which is better for RCSP. This RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, presumable the nominate A. r. ruficeps, was photographed at Pinnacles National Monument over Memorial Day of 1999. Curiously, no reference which I own makes mention of the barring on the central tail feathers.
Last updated 24 November, 1999