CLOSED: Sparrow?

Saw this one in Catalina State Park, AZ (9 miles north of Tucson) late February

Looks like some kind of sparrow maybe?

IN this picture you can see his little tuft

Another shot

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Last one

Looks like it may have some streaking under the chin

Oh yes here are my thoughts; at first I thought it might be an American Tree Sparrow, but they don't go that far south into Arizona. Maybe a chipping or Brewer's sparrow?

I have a little bit of difficulty seeing it clearly.

I don't know about Brewer's Sparrow, but I have lots of Chipping Sparrows in my yard here in Ga.

I don't think yours is a Chipping sparrow, because it has the tuft. I've never seen a tuft on any of my Chipping sparrows. My Chippers have a rusty/red colored crown, a nice white eyebrow and definitive black eye line, with a grayish, unstreaked chest..

Also, how big is the bird in your picture. My Chipping Sparrows are about the size of a Carolina Chickadee, definitely smaller than a House Finch..

Hack

This message was edited Jul 9, 2009 1:09 AM

I'd tentatively say Rufous-crowned, but don't want to make a firm ident on those pics!

Resin

Swamp Sparrow ?

This message was edited Jul 9, 2009 7:44 AM

Ummm I can't really remember the size too well.... but I am pretty sure they were bigger than chickadees and closer to the size of a house sparrow so I guess that knocks out the chipping sparrow.

It does also look like a swamp sparrow but that might be outside its range a little.

Rufous crowned is a good fit, and it matches the range. Why do all these sparrows have to look alike! HMMM well I guess we will have to call this one a draw since the photos aren't good enough for a clear ID. Thanks for guessing!