Kansas Sparrow Revisited

[ChasMcRae]

This shows the same sparrow (in poor photo) with distinct stripes on head and fairly long tail.
Any more thoughts ?
Thanks

[Julian Hough]

Charles,

The bold head pattern, with two dark latral crown stripes framing a crisp central stripe, coupled with the neatly streaked breast band are all characters of Savannah Sparrow - the slightly raised crest feathers is also a typical trait of this species..

Best,

Julian

[Ilija Dukovski]

How about the bird on the left, did you do anything in PP or is the striking eye-ring real.
With the eye-ring and coarser streaking and more yellowish underparts it looks like a Vesper Sparrow to me.

[Ilija Dukovski]

Also the bird on left has only a hint of a central dark patch on the breast,
also points to Verper Sparrow.
Julian, what do you think?

[ChasMcRae]

Thanks Julian,
That info helps ,but do not think I have ever noted the bold head pattern as such before. Also do not remember the breast streaking being as fine as this . Just not as observant as I use to be.
The bird on the left is a Vesper and there lots around but never obtained a great pic.
Chas.

[ChasMcRae]

Just reviewed some of my Sav Sparrow pics(they had the distinct yellow eye color and vague stickpin I am use to). Looking closely at the head revealed the striped pattern.
Most of my examples still have more coarse streaking than th Kansas birds ,so there must be a LOT of variation.