Russell,

Thanks for the suggestion. I had rejected immature White-crown because of
the gray head, but it could be an intermediate plumage stage or a different
race from the ones hanging out at Montlake Fill.

The White-crowned back and wing plumage look like a close match. The breast
spot was inconspicuous; could have been a couple of messed-up feathers. And
the white edging of the tail was thin; maybe feather wear. So yes, could
have been a White-crowned Sparrow.

Dave Brodeur
Mapleleaf, Seattle

Russell Rogers wrote:

<< One bird that is often mistaken for Tree Sparrow is the immature plumage
of White-crown Sparrow. >>