Some observers suggested Hammond's, but more thought this was a Western-type, citing the shape of the eye-ring, the off-white wing bars, the brighter colors on back and underparts, the color of the lower mandible, and the raised feathers on the crown. If Western, it is very likely to be Cordilleran, which breeds in Madera Canyon; Pacific-slope migrates to the west, and favors lower altitudes. But the species cannot be distinguished on the basis of appearance.