A few years ago, I photograghed a red tanager in my area that had some features in common with the one you shot, though the beak was quite different. https://www.flickr.com/photos/hmancuso/50106001271/in/photolist-2jkGmvD-2kbqxPA-2gZKAPK-2gstFxA-2jaEwgw-23JH2RA-2gDtE8V-2je14fE-25nRwy8-25x61bu-Uw9xuA-2jdULXE-2j9r17j-27juFBR-2k4bWoc-2gQDWNC-2hqyPux-2jdVcuA-2heo277-Su3NEQ-26dGa99-2jbTd21-2iPaAeV-EXufyB-26d2eqK-29iMyBP-2iZdHB7-2bGpSSX-2hLyRSP-25WR3W8-2gedVfQ-2csuL4b-2ggPbDq-2jdULU8-Ms26XS-2cq2zAp-2iRBKP2-27wZFaT-2g6avHs-2jBHq5k-2gbWFvy-23HK5Un-2jgbgs6-2jfkQDe-2bXHtnK-2gQEKCR-2gQEKxa-2g5btUL-2hjdUFD-HXixd5
Like yourself, I have missed shooting it.
I won’t go into the reasons why you’re doing that. Instead, I’ll just focus on your plans, because I don’t think a gradual change of accent will go unnoticed. Just do it. Embrace the American accent you love so much and live it to the fullest. And if anyone asks you what happened, just say you’re tired of your own accent and are trying something new. Explain it clearly to others and own up to it. This will make you feel good because you’re being honest by telling others why you have decided to change.
However, you should bear in mind that a language is much more than just an accent. It also includes people’s choice of words and idioms and expresses the way they see the world. It would be strange if I decided to speak Brazilian Portuguese with a Portuguese accent (from Portugal). Those who know me would be confused because this “Portuguese character” in me speaks the local language perfectly with the wrong accent. How come?