Bird Similar to Tufted Titmouse in Virginia, United States (1 Viewer)

[zschagrin]

I was down in Williamsburg, Virginia last weekend and I saw a bird that looked similar to a Tufted Titmouse, but with a couple notable differences that stood out.

First, it was definitely larger than a Tufted Titmouse. Not much larger, but enough to be noticeable. Maybe the size of a Northern Cardinal?

Second, the breast was white with light brown speckles. It seemed to be very light brown.

I am fairly certain it wasn't a thrush of any kind--at least not one that I know--because aside from those two differences, it looked just like a Tufted Titmouse (the presence of a crest, grayish color on its back and wings and orange color in the same spot as a Tufted Titmouse).

Also, I spotted the bird around a group of Tufted Titmice (Titmouses?).

Any ideas on what this bird could have been? Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any pictures.

Thanks!

 

[Chickadee Whisperer]

Might it have been an fledgling Cedar Waxwing? Here's a photo of one, with its crest down. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraerickson/3432827464

 

[steveo]

My first guess would be Tufted Titmouse maybe immature. Cedar waxwing is possible CW, did you notice a call of any sort Z?

 

[Chickadee Whisperer]

The trick with fledgling titmice is that they aren't streaked. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraerickson/7654514694

 

[nartreb]

why not a tufted titmouse with staining from the nest?

 

[Chickadee Whisperer]

Have you ever seen a young titmouse with streaking from the nest? The young titmice and chickadees I see always have extremely clean feathers. And if this bird was with titmice but clearly larger, that sounds wrong--the only fledglings I see that are larger than their "parents" are cowbirds. But without a photo, there's really no way of knowing that this one was for sure.