What kind of bird was this?

[Orrex]

I live in western PA north of Pittsburgh. Yesterday I spotted a bird a little smaller than a robin and slightly plump-looking. Overall, it had sort of gray-brown feathers with (I think) a slightly darker tail.

It seemed to have a small, dark crest not as tall as a cardinal's, and it had black patches around the eyes/face. I can't be sure about that part, because I saw it at some distance and couldn't get closer. It also had a strikingly orange beak.

I didn't get a look at the feet, because it was perched on a fence rail and sitting on them. However, it seemed to have a hopping gait rather than a one-foot-in-front-of-the-other stride like a crow.

I've mentioned before that I don't know much about birding, nor am I conversant with the standard terminology of description. Any guesses (ideally with a link to a pic) would be appreciated!

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Have you tried whatbird.com ?

http://www.whatbird.com/browse/attributes.aspx

[Orrex]

7. I wasn't aware of that site

but now I'll consult it often! Thanks for the link!

[SallyMander]

2. Tufted titmice have a crest

Not an orange beak though...

[Orrex]

6. That looks a lot like it, in fact

Shame about the beak, though!

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Couldn't have been a female cardinal, could it?

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Cardinal.html (2d picture down)

[Orrex]

4. Doh! Stupid me!

A male cardinal visits our feeder several times each day, and we know he hangs out in a tree at the rear of our yard. I mistakenly thought that female cardinals don't have a crest, but that picture is an exact match.

Thanks!

[3.14158675309]

5. I smell an Oscar thread....

:popcorn: