Mystery Pelagic Bird

[AndyB]

This is a good one from Doug Aguillard in San Diego. Here's the link to the photos:
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/mystery_bird.htm

On the Pelagic trip yesterday as we approached Middle Island, a small passerine came flying towards the boats and most people onboard were thinking Lapland Longspur. As it circled the boat, I managed some iffy shots at it. The bird started flying to Middle Island which was only a hundred meters away when a Peregrine Falcon came out of no where and nail the passerine.

The votes for what is was has been:

Lapland Longspur, House Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Chipping Sparrow.

I don't see Lapland Longspur in these photos. It does appear to be a sparrow and has a very forked tail. Thougts anyone?

[MichaelF]

Chipping Sparrow for me. I can't see Lapland Bunting in it, not with that grey side to the neck.

[Graham Etherington]

At first I was a bit perturbed by the black spot behind the ear coverts, but the first photo in Graham Cantley's Chipping Sparrow blog entry demonstrates how Chipping Sparrow can appear to show this.

http://pewit.blogspot.com/2008/05/chipping-sparrow.html

[AndyB]

I can see why observers had issues. It's really difficult to judge, but it would appear too short-tailed for White-crowned. Chipping seems likely although I am struggling to reconcile such a prominently tawny, flaring supercilium, although I guess it could fit: http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/photos/chipping_sparrow_4.jpg
It also seems too bright a bird (with rufous cap) for House Sparrow.

[AveryBartels]

White-crowned for my money. The tail does look short but it could have lost it and be regrowing it. The bill also looks too bright pinkish to be a Chipping. Head striping looks pale buff and dark tawny with too much contrast to be Chipper.
Cheers

[Frigatenerd]

Jizz and general body shape look good for white-crowned to me. Not sure about the shortish tail (could be just photo angle etc) but the huskiness in the shoulders and the sloping forehead all look classic white-crowned to me. Supercillium also seems too broad and prominent for chipper. my 2c

James B.