Birding Photo Quiz

Sparrows of the Grasslands

The photo below, by SABO volunteer Stan Lilley of Hereford, AZ, shows three species of sparrows in hand during banding.
Can you identify all three?

Three sparrows - can you ID all 3?

Stumped? Take a look at the hints...

...or, if you're ready, go directly to the answers.

Hints:

General: The birds are all in adult plumage. Range and habitat are important clues: they're all true grassland birds that winter in southeastern Arizona, which significantly narrows the list of possibilities.

A: not a great angle, so examine this side view of the same bird:

Another view of Sparrow "A"

B: note very heavy dark breast streaking without central spot, lack of eyering.

C: note lack of moustachial and malar stripes, bold median and lateral crown-stripes, pale buffy lateral breast streaking

The answers...