Interesting bird! Let's work through the Spizella checklist here (following
Rising & Beadle):
The streaked buff-brown crown with thin streaks favors Brewer's or
Clay-colored.
Grayish supercilium with some streaking favors Brewer's (maybe even a young
one).
Lores are moderately dark (edge to Chipping) but this is marginal.
Post-ocular stripe is somewhat thin and indistinct, favors Brewer's though this
is kind of borderline.
Ear-coverts pale grayish, moustachial weak -- favors Brewer's.
Malar whitish, kind of grungy -- favors Brewer's.
Nape - can't see in this photo.
Side of neck -- grayish rather than grayish buff, favors Chipping or
Clay-colored.
Terts -- edged with pale rusty brown, favors Brewer's or Clay-colored.
Breast -- pale grayish without much buff, favors Brewer's.
Rump -- can't see in this photo.
I'm leaning toward Brewer's based on the balance of the field marks, especially
the streaking in the crown. But I can see why you're also thinking about
Chipping.
Joel
Mike Patterson wrote:
While checking out the action along Jackson Rd, Brownsmead this
morning, I came upon a _spizella_ sparrow embedded with White-crowns.
Intially thought it might be a Brewer's Sparrow, but on closer
examination of photos, now believe it is a Chipping Sparrow.
Anybody want to talk me out of it?
--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
