CLOSED: Identify this bird, please! Vol 9.

:)

This was on our pond and I thought it was the Spotted Sandpiper returning but it looks different.

OK...got to checking and I believe this is a Solitary Sandpiper!

This message was edited May 3, 2008 7:25 AM

Yep, agree with Solitary Sandpiper

Resin

Hello everyone! I haven't been here much lately since it's gardening time, but I've been seeing many new birds. I saw an Eastern Bluebird the other day when I was riding my bike and it perched in my very own tree as I passed my house! Next year I'm putting up a bluebird house for sure!

Anyway, I'm hoping this one is a female painted bunting. It could also be a female Lesser Goldfinch as I've seen lots of them around, but I really hope it's a Painted. A neighbor said they've seen PB's here before.

Here's another shot. What's throwing me is that her beak seemed fairly light colored. Not sure if you can see it here, but it seems like both the PB's and LG's have darker beaks.

It was so windy. Sorry these pics aren't great.

I've also been seeing lots of House Finches, which makes me happy! Here's another of my mystery bird.

I'd agree with female Painted Bunting. If it was Lesser Goldfinch it would show at least some weak wingbars and a white spot at the base of the primaries, which this doesn't.

Resin

New bird for me today - I think it's a brown thrasher. There are a pair of them working their way along my timber line. I can't see it's eye closely enough to see if it's yellow or not. There is nothing else in my book that looks like this though. It's about American robin size or maybe bigger. It's got quite a long beak on it!
Claire

Yep, Brown Thrasher.

Resin

Congratulations guys!

Yay! Now I just have to watch for her to bring the mister around! I've actually seen her more than once, so hopefully they'll keep showing up!

Lucky you, PeeperKeeper! Those painted buntings are so pretty - I looked them up in my book. I don't think I'll see those here in Iowa. :-(

But at least I get to check off the brown thrasher box in my bird book list! Hooray!

Well, now I'm confused. I was trying to take a picture of what appeared to be a black and white bird. Then suddenly, there were 2 black and white birds. I'm not sure if they are the same bird, and I'm not sure if the pictures are of the 2 birds or only one of them. I'm such a bad photographer! I don't know what either bird is...

Here is one black and white bird, facing right towards me.

And here is one as it flew away, with yellow on it.

and here's one in the underbrush

which subsequently flew onto a tree, woodpecker-fashion.

I declare, I shall never be a proper bird watcher at this rate!

Looks like maybe a Yellow -rumped Warbler.

Don't give up! I am new to all this too. I just got into to birds late last summer and there is sooo much to learn. That's why we come to Dave's and we get to make lots of new friends!

Well, you know, I had a yellow rumped warbler last week, but it didn't seem so starkly black and white as the bird I saw today. Maybe I have a faulty memory! Would not surprise me!

I went outside (such a novel concept) to see if I could get a better photo of the woodpecker type bird. Here is one, but it was starting to get dark out. Must be either a hairy or downy WP.

Pretty sure the one flying away with yellow is the yellow rumped warbler.

First two pics are Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Next two might be Black-and-white Warbler, but the pics aren't clear enough to be certain.

Last is a Downy Woodpecker.

Resin

Thanks Resin! I shall keep an eye out for that black and white bird again and see if it might be a warbler.

What are the features that helped you identify the downy woodpecker from the hairy woodpecker? I'd like to know for future birdwatching experience! The main thing I see in my book is the size of the bill.

Claire

Yep, the small bill, and also that overall it is a small bird.

Resin

Hi from TN, believe it or not, it could be what is called "a yellow rumped warbler" I had several of them in my garden here in Nashville for the summer last year Dawn

Ruby-throated Hummingbird looks odd...immature or female? Sorry about the window shot!

Here are some old posts that may be helpful in comparing Downey/Hairy Woodpeckers:


http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4463380
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4463385
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4463577

Yep, female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Resin

Thanks Resin...do the males have the white spots on the outer tail like the female?

Nope, just all-blackish tail feathers; they are also narrower, and more pointed.

Resin

Thanks Resin...I didn't realize the tails were different.

Thanks OldNed and Resin for the downy wp recognition tips. I will keep these in mind now and hopefully be able to identify them myself next time.

In the meantime, I have a new drab visitor this morning. I am guessing a female something or other. I have a couple of pics to post.
Claire

this one is the best shot I have of her - but you can't see her front...

Here is a not-so-good shot, but you can see her pale front.
She is just slightly left of center.

Here's a final shot in case it adds anything that isn't visible in the others.

Song sparrow???

Bump! (just in case this got lost on the new forum)

You know, I first was going to say Lincoln's sparrow (that's what it looked like in my Petersen's Guide), but since I hadn't seen any posts on the bird forum, I thought it couldn't be. Thanks resin!!

Congrats Mrs. Ed...I've never seen one!

Haven't a clue what this is!