ID please

Not sure what this bird is. I photographed it in the same area as the yellow warbler posted earlier. Taken the 25 of this month in central Illinois. Thank you for your assistance.

This is an interesting bird and ID problem as it doesn't seem to fit any expected bird for that area that I can think of.

The bill shape is always a good place to start with the ID, and this bill eliminates lots of families. Best "fit" is sparrows and finches, although blackbirds and orioles have a similar straight pointed bill if not as blunt as this bird.

You don't mention apparent size; it looks on like a small bird.

I'm wary of the color as that is not the best field mark to work with; plus I'm not sure how accurate the colors are in this image. But the pale bill and yellow tones suggest American Goldfinch (but the lack of wing bars and the color along the underside of the tail do not).

Come on Jim DeWitt, Brian Gatlin, and Peter May - help me out here!

I was counting on you, Richard. The bill is sparrow-like, but the belly and tail suggest Palm Warbler. The absence of wing bars seems to rule out Goldfinches. Looks like an eye infection that might mask a partial eye ring? Any other views of this bird, John?

Sorry guys, this is the only shot I have of this bird. I will be going back to that area this week, maybe I will find it again. Thanks for trying.

I think that this is almost certainly a Dark-eyed Junco. The pinkish sparrow bill is good for junco, as are the overall grayish tones with a lighter belly. The outer tail feathers appear white, which is another really strong thing pointing to junco. Probably a drab first winter female.

I agree with you Brian, what had me puzzled was the yellow color cast .