This bird looks like a Chestnut to me. They vary greatly in bill size and the
rather sandy color with more or less even streaking and scalloping is very
Chestnut. Too bad we dont see the open tail. I agree the face is a bit open
and pale but a McCown’s has a remarkably plain look - the female is almost
confusable with a female House Sparrow. Those of you who saw the one in
Portland some years ago will remember, and I’ve seen them in the mountain
states, too.
Alan Contreras
acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx
Eugene, Oregon
www.alanlcontreras.com
http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/edge-of-awe