Mystery Bird: Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps

I'm stumped. I mean, really stumped. I'm not even sure what family this guy is in.

I think Black-chinned Sparrow because of the overall grey head and light bill. It doesn't look much like a sparrow, though.

This bird is quite a challenge. I see a faint eye-ring and a yellow bill, this bird also has dark legs. I am going to say it is a juvenile Black Rosy-finch. Even as I type this I am still unsure. Great bird. I am excited to learn what this one is.

A hint: try aging the bird first....

After realizing I did not look at the date of the picture, I see it is in May. Too early I bet for a fledged Black Rosy-finch. I am changing my answer to a young Verdin, based on the yellow pointy bill, and the overall plain grayness.

Tricksy picture.

@4 is correct, I think.

Young Black-Chinned Sparrow.

Conclusion reached by process of elimination...it's not a warbler, vireo, flycatcher, etc.

A Verdin perhaps...

I agree on Verdin. Method for identifying this bird: go to the Sibley's page on "Drab Gray Birds of the Arid Southwest" and look for the yellow bill (unless that's orange or green). Though Sibley shows a lot more of the dark color above and less of the bright color below.

I'm looking forward to finding out how to age it before knowing the species. (Maybe if I say that, I'll remember this time.)