Juvenile Brewer's Sparrow - Cascade Mtns WA State USA (1 Viewer)

[BodyResults]

Saw this bird at high elevation across the county line from where they usually are. I'm thinking this is a Juvenile Brewer's Sparrow. Seems to match pretty well with Sibley's Northern picture.

2 possibly 3 different birds but I think all the same species.

What do you think?

Thanks
Doug Schurman

 

[Larry Lade]

I think I could go along with Brewer's Sparrow.

 

[Po'ouli]

The dark line through the lores would make me lean towards juvenile chipping sparrow.

 

[BodyResults]

I was thinking the breast streaking seemed more consistent with Juv Brewer's in the North than with Chipping.

 

[Tiraya]

Would be Timberline subspecies high in the mountains.

I don't feel it is a Chipping.

 

[BIRDseeN]

Brewers or Chipping

Looks like a juvenile Chipping Sparrow to me. The rufous inner secondaries and boldly spotted breast seem to heavy for Brewers. The dark lores also preclude Clay-coloured, which may have been another consideration

 

[Kratter]

Looks fine for Chipping to me. And it is in a fir tree, better habitat for Chipping than the xeric loving Brewer's. "Timberline" Sparrow is not known to breed in the Washington Cascades.
Andy

 

[Tiraya]

"Timberline" Sparrow is not known to breed in the Washington Cascades.
Andy

Interesting. No wonder the status of this bird is so complex.

 

[BodyResults]

Thanks everyone.