Sparrow ID

I was going through images taken over the last couple of weeks and ran across this Sparrow image. I am not sure what type of sparrow this is and the brown crown seemed different from other sparrow images in my bird book. My guess at this point is an immature White Crown sparrow? Taken in the desert of NW Tucson, AZ.
Thanks for any help.
Jim

Hi Jim. Your assessment is 100% correct. This look also applies to non-breeding plumage birds of this species I believe.

I say white crowned too Jim. Here in the PNW (if I can count southwestern BC in that) our juvenile WC sparrows tend to have a bit stronger colors on their crowns but that's the only difference.

Thanks Nick and Ed.

Juvie White-crowned Sparrow. Adults have the white crown all year - there is no difference for breeding and non breeding. This is an abundant bird in the AZ lowlands in winter.

This plumage causes one Water Ranch regular trouble every winter so we've named it "brown-crowned sparrow" for him.

That's handy to know. I've never actually seen one of these in winter so presumed they did change plumage.

Nick:

They are a staple of winter bird photography here in AZ as can be seen by this gallery on my web site. Note I have 5 birds in juvenile dress and 7 adults. Dates (shown with with full image) range from Oct to Feb.

The juvies get white crowns before they move north in late April.

Thanks Richard I'll have a look.