Not a Lark Sparrow... but what?

[nancarrow]

Hello all,
Please find attached two images of the same bird taken by an American friend. I thought the bird was a Lark Sparrow but now I see some features just do not fit. Any ideas? I'm stuck.
thanks
nancarrow

[jccarlson]

Hello,
Both photos show a Rufous-collared Sparrow, a very common bird in south and central America.

[AndyB]

Hi nancarrow, where was the photo taken - not in the US right??

[nancarrow]

Hi nancarrow, where was the photo taken - not in the US right??

Thanks for the ID jccarlson. you can tell I have never birded properly in South America. My friend says "The photo was taken in a very small village about 5 hours drive from Quito, Ecuador." I will have to visit!

[Bobolink44]

Ecuador is on my list too. Some terrific wildlife