The Spizella sparrows, a genus of small sparrows with small bills, are notoriously difficult to identify, especially in juvenile plumage. This is a Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida, and in adult plumage IMO is on of our more handsome sparrows. It also has a nice simple easy-to-remember buzzy song that helps a lot with identification.
As is typical of this genus, Clay-colored Sparrow has a small pointy bill, if quite small for a sparrow (about 11 grams) and has a fairly sharply outlined face pattern and a nice grayish beck collar.
Compare this to another Spizella sparrow the Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina:
The overall shape and size is similar, but the red cap and the dark black eyeline make the differentiation of adults simple. Just wait until August when first year birds flock together, and any thoughts that ID is easy will disappear.
For now I'm happy it's May, and the adults are alone.
Good birding.
