I often have trouble identifying sparrows, with the possible exception of White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis). These colorful sparrows migrate to my area in the fall and overwinter with us in quite large numbers. Their prominent white “beards” help me to distinguish them from other sparrows and often remind me of Santa Claus, especially during the pre-Christmas frenzy of activity during December.
Sometimes, though, the white throat patch is not quite so prominent, as in the second image below. In cases like this, I rely on the bright yellow stripe between the bill and eye, an area known as the “lore,” to identify the bird as a White-throated Sparrow.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice images of the White-throated SparrowsMike! Enjoyed seeing them!
Mike bird IDs are much like butterfly IDs. It is much better to file them under the column of the one that got away instead of having the ID pinned down.