Sparrow? ID help please!

[Julie Brown]

Date: 8/21/10
Location: Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, IN
environment: tall grasses; low shrubs and trees; edge of woods

I've looked at all of the sparrows in the Sibley Guide and online and can't come up with a firm ID. I am also curious about the raised crest.:confused:

Any info is appreciated!

[Jim Buescher]

Looks like a Field Sparrow with a mohawk!

[Julie Brown]

Jim, that is what I have been thinking it was, but the "mohawk" confused me!

[John Chardine]

Many sparrows raise their crests as a behavioural signal. I am not sure of all the contexts but I know males do it when they are interacting with other males in territorial disputes, and similarly when they are reacting to playback of another male's song and call.

[Julie Brown]

Thanks for that info John. There were a number of the birds at this spot and they did not seem to mind my presence.

[John Chardine]

Makes sense Julie. They react like this to others of their own species, not to you.

[Julie Brown]

I have another question, if anyone can answer it: don't field sparrows have a white eyering? I think that is one of the reasons I have had such a difficult time with the ID of this bird. Here is an image of a field sparrow I took at the same park in May of this year, and I did not have trouble identifying this one. Also, the bills on these two birds look different to me.