Help with yard bird ID--Aurora, Arapahoe County

[Jean Stevenson]

Sorry no photo.  In suburban southeast Aurora we observed a small, mostly gray looking bird with a very distinct rufous top knot scratching vigorously in dry debris near our front porch. About the size of a house finch, clear light gray breast, darker on the back, no noticeable striping, straight narrow dark tail, which it flicked up occasionally.  It was about ten feet away and viewed through the window. The lighting was dull, so we could have missed some details.  We looked in Sibley at sparrows, juncos, towhees and did not find a clear match.  Welcoming suggestions.  Thank you.

Jean Stevenson

 

[Curt Brown --- Boulder, CO]

Sure sounds like a Green-tailed Towhee, and this is just the time of year to have them coming thru.  In dim light, I'm not sure the greenish color would stand out.  And the behavior you describe is very towhee-like.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green-tailed_Towhee/id#