Name That Bird

[Doug Herr]

It's time to play "Name That Bird"
This unique bird was found today IMBY, Sacramento County California.

Make your best guess. A fabulous prize consisting of unlimited bragging rights will be awarded to the person with first correct guess.
Hint: one was in my yard last winter too.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Larry S.]

Golden crowned sparrow?

 

[Larry S.]

I have to disqualify myself…. I cheated//// took a picture of your bird with my iPhone 15 and used the “bird identifier”

 

[Doug Herr]

Golden crowned sparrow?

Golden-crowned Sparrow's bill is gray.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Doug Herr]

For those whose bird ID software is still trying to figure this out, Larry S's answer is half-correct.

 

[Larry S.]

Okie Dokie Doug… I’m going through my field guides and narrowed it down.. Grasshopper Sparrow or Clay-colored Sparrow…hmmmmmm

 

[Russ4750]

Golden-crowned x White-crowned hybrid?

 

[Doug Herr]

Golden-crowned x White-crowned hybrid?

WE HAVE A WINNER!

 

[Larry S.]

FOUL!!!…. You didn’t say that it could be a mutant!