Sparrow and Duck/Goose, Northern California, US (1 Viewer)

[vbnut]

I saw these two birds on the morning of 2017-01-02 at at Palo Alto Baylands Park in Palo Alto California. I assume the first is some kind of sparrow, but as usual I'm having difficulty narrowing down which kind. The second appears to some kind of goose or perhaps a large duck, but I again I haven't been able to identify it more specificially. Any help identifying them would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[aeshna5]

Goose is a domestic- possibly Greylag x Chinese?

 

[rkj]

And the sparrow is a Golden-crowned Sparrow.

 

[vbnut]

Thanks folks.

@rjk, For my edification, would you mind describing how you know its a Golden-crowned without being able to see the golden crown?

 

[Little SuperBirder]

You can just make out the yellow on the front of the head. It's an immature bird, so it's not going to have a lot of yellow regardless of angle. That mantle pattern of a light color with dark, thick streaks is characteristic of Zonotrichia sparrows, and the four species in that genus are White-crowned, Harris's, Golden-crowned, and White-throated. Harris's can easily be ruled out due to range but more importantly head pattern. All the others can be ruled out by head pattern as well (both White-crowned and White-throated have more streaked heads).

 

[rkj]

LSB has stated it well. Wintering Golden-crowned Sparrows often look quite plain-faced compared to White-crowned or White-throated. The bi-colored bill is also a good mark. The yellow visible on the lores is common in Golden-crowned, but never seen in White-crowned.