I wanted this bird to be a migrating Baird's sparrow. I emailed my photo to two friends, who know much more than I do, for their opinions. One friend gently humored my Baird's sparrow ID, but then got right to the point as did my other friend.
Before emailing my friends I submitted this photo to Merlin Bird ID and received the following potential identifications: bobolink, grasshopper sparrow, henslow's sparrow and savannah sparrow. Of these suggestions I could also see the potential for grasshopper sparrow.
Apologies for my less than optimal photo. I had two chances; the first was out-of-focus and the second is below. Location was a large, weedy wildflower field surrounded by a massive new housing development in Celina, Texas, about 40-45 miles directly north of Dallas. Date was Saturday, 04/29/23. Also seen here were Western Kingbirds and Scissior-tailed Flycatchers. Click on the photo to enlarge.
The identification independently offered by each friend: Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). My guess of migrating Baird's sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) was magical thinking.
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