"Guess This" Game

When I used to blog, I would occasionally post a photo of a bird and have my readers try to guess what it is. Sometimes I would use photos that hid important field markings to make it more challenging. I had fun doing this, so thought to try it here.

Basically, I post a picture and wait for some identifications before I share the answer. Some times I give clues. The birds I post will likely be found in my area, Central Iowa. Anyone can post a picture for others to guess, but just wait until after the previous bird has been solved, otherwise there might be some confusion.

Here is the first bird.

Before I found him, I knew he was close. I could hear him. I look where I expected to find him, but he wasn't there. Where, oh, where? Oh, here he is... high in a tree, singing for me. He took a break between notes to eat an insect or two.

Chilly, Sounds like a fun game to me, but I don't have a clue what kind of bird that could be. My first though was a Purple Martin. I wouldn't expect to find one up in a tree, but instead flying around catching insects or perched on the PM house.

So, that's what I'll guess. Male Purple Martin.

Patti

I'll go for Brown-headed Cowbird

Resin

Oh, I hurt! Blisters, muscle aches. But it's a good hurt. I got a bunch of native plants in the ground. And we got inside just in time before it started raining. Perfect time to reveal my bird.

Here is "my" Bobolink reaching for an insect. To see a Bobolink in a tree is such an oddity. Even stranger was he was not in the tree line out away from the house, but in the yard.

Ah, so cool! Great photos for the guessing game. Even stumped Resin! Now I don't feel too bad for not getting it right.

Hope the rain is just enough to get your plants off to a good start.

I think I am trying to build up my arm muscles with the outside work I am doing. But I do not hurt as bad as the other day. I have a new "toy", but I think I need stronger muscles to get it to work properly- a machete. :P I am glad I haven't cut off my own nose or any other appendage while trying to manhandle that thing.

I was pretty amazed that I stumped Resin. :) On my email list the guesses were the Cowbird and Brewer's Blackbird.

Here's another bird for you to guess. This one is often seen in the yard and likes this spot as a perch.

White Throated Sparrow?

Nope, but you're close. :)

Lark Sparrow?

Song Sparrow?

Resin

Oh, I wish it was a Lark Sparrow. We've seen them in the area, but never the yard.

Since I will be pretty busy tomorrow, I'll post the answer today. You all guessed "sparrow" correctly, just not the species.

Here is the Chipping Sparrow. :) Why he likes this spot, I'll never know. I'm always afraid the birds will fall in. It's the Chimney Swift tower. I just wish the Chimney Swifts would move in.

This message was edited Jun 27, 2015 6:51 PM

This one is silly, but I want to see if you can figure out what bird this image represents. It is a feeder bird we have had in our yard.

Lol. It's a T-post bird. Nah. A fence bird. Ok. It's red, so it's a cardinal. Obviously I don't have a clue. The birds in my yard that perch on the fence posts are usually phoebes. They grab flying insects and head back to the fence post to dine. They do steal a few mealworms, but I don't consider them feeder birds.

You're on the right track with red. These birds may have perched on a fence, but I do not remember them doing so specifically.

House finch. Finch sounds like fence and they are red in places. Lol. Silly is right. But, fun!

LOL, closest I came to a guess is "chicken," but that doesn't quite look like chicken wire.

I'd like a different photo, please! This one hurts my brain.

;-)

OK, here's a pic that really belongs on the rubbish pics thread, anyone want to have a go!

Resin

LOL.

The photo showed a common red pole. Or... Common Redpoll. :) Enough silliness for now.

As for Resin's bird... Sandpiper of some variety. Maybe...

Ah, yes. Redpoll. Now it's so easy.

As for Resin's pic, there's a bird in that photo? All I see is a spotted sea trout.

Resin: The rarely seen Trout Sandpiper