Whats this?

Yes I know, its a Spuggy, but what kind? These pics dont really do him justice. I was looking through them as I do each day for a Junco ( still waiting)... Much smaller than the rest, it was easily picked out of 50+ House Sparrows in my garden this morning. At first I though, oh, there's a Tree Sparrow, but a closer look and it seems to be a House Sparrow? His grandad must have been a bit of a lad...


Above - Small bib and blackish ear patch but grey in the crown, yellow at base of the bill...



Above - Top shows oddbod and his brownish rump, compare to the bottom pic of the grey rump on all the other male House Sparrows...


Above - Pale neck collar only on Oddbod...his crown is browner than the other males..


Above - Compare with bog standard House Sparrow male...



Above - Side shot showing collar again and the smaller white wing bar on median coverts compared to the broader bar on House Sparrow males.

The photos arent too good but you can see what I mean. Is it just a retarded fw male House Sparrow or a hybrid? A question that it is impossible to answer 100% but those ear coverts and the collar and the yellow bill base and the smaller size are too much of a coincidence to me.

And I dont really believe in the Hybrid theories as they often seem to be a get out clause for unidentifiable birds. Please leave me a comment if you have any ideas about this 'spuggy'. Cheers.

God, isn't February quiet....