Sparrow sp. Grand Canyon, USA (1 Viewer)

[John R Taylor]

Another fuzzy photo from my trip to America.

Taken on the south rim of the Grand Canyon in April.

I think it is a White-crowned Sparrow. Am I right?

 

[Microtus]

Yes.

 

[John R Taylor]

Many thanks

Regards

JT

 

[Microtus]

Sure!

 

[The Falcon]

Yes.

Why isn't it a Chipping Sparrow?

 

[Microtus]

Um, because I thought I saw white on the head in appropriate places for White-crowned Sparrow. Now that you mention it, and I've spent more than a couple of seconds looking at the photo, it is a Chipping Sparrow. The forked tail is a dead giveaway.

 

[mrmanning]

Um, because I thought I saw white on the head in appropriate places for White-crowned Sparrow. Now that you mention it, and I've spent more than a couple of seconds looking at the photo, it is a Chipping Sparrow. The forked tail is a dead giveaway.

I thought I saw the same thing. No sweat.

If one is going to challenge an ID, would it not be appropriate to explain reasons for the challenge? I'm not stirring the pot, rather I am genuinely curious.

 

[Jim M.]

If one is going to challenge an ID, would it not be appropriate to explain reasons for the challenge? I'm not stirring the pot, rather I am genuinely curious.

Given the nature of the photo, with most of the head obscured, I think the reasons were self-evident. Also, I wouldn't consider asking a question as to how a species was eliminated to be a direct challenge--especially when no reasons were given for the ID to begin with.

Best,
Jim

 

[mrmanning]

Given the nature of the photo, with most of the head obscured, I think the reasons were self-evident. Also, I wouldn't consider asking a question as to how a species was eliminated to be a direct challenge--especially when no reasons were given for the ID to begin with.

Best,
Jim

That makes sense. Thanks.
Like I said, I just wanted to know the right way to go about challenging an id. Not that it happens a lot really, not with all the experts around here!

Cheers:t:

 

[Microtus]

I didn't take it as a challenge. The "Um" was a token of embarrassment, that I had missed the forked tail in making my initial and incorrect identification.

 

[Jim M.]

The forked tail is a dead giveaway.

I think it's probably a Chippie, but I'm not sure the forked tail is decisive. Compare: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:34,s:0&biw=1520&bih=914

Best,
Jim