| Author | Content |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 26, 2008 | We came from here: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] Here's a newcomer to my yard today. He has a sort of rusty head, white eyebrow, and yellow on his rump and under the chin. I'm not familiar with him. Maybe a sort of warbler?
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 26, 2008 | Yep, Palm Warbler. Resin |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 26, 2008 | Oh! I just looked him up. He's not supposed to be in Iowa, I don't think! More of those migrating birds I guess, but the migration pattern in my book doesn't show him going over Iowa. |
| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b April 26, 2008 | Maybe mine from the other day made a lefthand turn! LOL |
| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | I heard rumors that the Blue Heron had returned to their nest at Scott River so I hot footed down there only to find an empty nest.
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | While I was there I got some long range pics of an Osprey.
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | cc
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | A Brewer's Blackbird,
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | And a Bullock's Oriole.
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| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 26, 2008 | adel, your in the wrong thread dear! |
| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | bb
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 26, 2008 | There goes that CRS again! This message was edited Apr 26, 2008 12:03 PM |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 26, 2008 | [quote]but the migration pattern in my book doesn't show him going over Iowa[/quote] Sibley maps Palm Warblers as passing through Iowa (and west to half way across Nebraska, too). They breed in Canada west to Alberta. Resin |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 26, 2008 | I should probably buy the Sibley guide, then. I have a National Geographic guide from 1999, and "Birds of Iowa" by Stan Tekiela (2000). The latter is a fairly small book and doesn't cover most of these migrating birds I am currently seeing. |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 26, 2008 | Just saw another (I think) warbler. I think my new property has a sign on the roof that says "warblers stop here" because I have never seen any in 6 years of living in Iowa, and now I am seeing them nonstop! Of course, being rural now, that helps a lot. I didn't get a pic of this one, but it had the same small yellow patch on the flanks as the yellow-rumped, but no yellow spot on the head that I could see through the binox. I thought it was the yellow-rumped female, but couldn't see if it had the yellow rump or not - only the flank bit (which was a pretty small yellow area). But, it had a very starkly speckled breast - not the sort of dull brown shown in my National Geographic guide. It was very dark speckles on white, more like the male. I'm wondering if it might be the female Myrtle Warbler, which seems to be a subspecies of the yellow-rumped, but she seems to have a small yellow head spot. Perhaps it's not very noticeable? Any thoughts? |
| tigerlily Tiller, OR Zone 8a April 27, 2008 | Is this a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher?
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 27, 2008 | Nope, it's a Nashville Warbler. Nice one to get, though! Resin |
| ladyegg Seward, NE April 27, 2008 | When do hummingbirds come back in to Nebraska? I enjoyed them so much last year and can't wait to see them again this year. Before last year I never knew I had them here. I accidentally saw one in my red cannas and started putting nectar out for them. Last year I had at least 10 hummers. These are ruby throats. I just wish I knew when to start putting nectar out for the little beauties. |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a April 27, 2008 | Now! [HYPERLINK@hummingbirds.net] |
| tigerlily Tiller, OR Zone 8a April 27, 2008 | Thanks, Resin. That what I thought when I took the photos, but then it just didn't quite look right. |
| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 27, 2008 | A pic of a Golden-crowned Sparrow I took at Scott River yesterday.
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 27, 2008 | And a Common Merganzer on the Klamath River on the way home.
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 27, 2008 | I did it again!!!!!!!!! |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 27, 2008 | OMG adel! lol! |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a April 27, 2008 | ROTFL. ((hugs)) adel |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 27, 2008 | Aw we love ya adel! |
| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b April 27, 2008 | AHAAAAAA! You are special adel! :) |
| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 27, 2008 | Thanks all. I thought I'd better respond before I forgot what I was responding to. |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b April 27, 2008 | Huh?..What'd I miss?!! LOL..Adel...I enjoy your pics any thread you post them!! |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a April 27, 2008 | Well we all can laugh because it happens to all of us! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 28, 2008 | Well, I think I have yet another warbler. I don't think this one is the same as the ones you have helped me identify last week (yellow-rumped and palm). He seems much yellower on his head and chest. I'm wondering if it is a pine warbler, based on my book. He does look quite a bit like the picture in my National Geographic guide. Another migrator, I think. Claire
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| jo11 Saint Paul, MN April 28, 2008 | Okay these pictures are really bad, but you guys are soooo good I am sure you will be able to help. This bird is bigger than a finch and smaller than a robin. The next picture will have a bird that came and sat along side this one. I don't know if they are related. This is the best I can do tonight.
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| jo11 Saint Paul, MN April 28, 2008 | The other bad picture.
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| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 28, 2008 | I could be wrong but the one on the left looks like a male Brown-headed Cowbird. |
| jo11 Saint Paul, MN April 28, 2008 | Thanks Pelletory-- I thought it might be a cowbird, but I have never had one before to my knowledge. It is probably nothing to get too excited about, but I am in the middle of the city, so any new bird is a delight. I knew you guys could help me!! |
| sadie_mae Central, KY Zone 6b April 28, 2008 | Is this a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak?
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| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 28, 2008 | Yes it is! Congratulations! |
| sadie_mae Central, KY Zone 6b April 28, 2008 | Thanks :-) I had 1 male that stopped on the way thru last spring and fall but this is the first female I've seen. Maybe the male will remember me this spring too! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 28, 2008 | Still wondering about my maybe-pine-warbler.... (8 posts up)... |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 28, 2008 | Hi CMoxin, Would you mind waiting for Resin, I'm not very good with Warblers and I don't want to just guess. He will be here tomorrow. Hope thats okay. :-) |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 28, 2008 | No problem Pelletory! I'm not very good with warblers either! LOL! I just didn't want it to get lost in the flurry of new photos of UFBs (unidentified flying birds). :-) |
| konkreteblond Burleson, TX Zone 8a April 28, 2008 | And this is?
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 28, 2008 | Looks like a female Purple Finch to me, but I'm no expert. |
| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b April 28, 2008 | Konkrete, female Red-winged Black bird, I think. |
| konkreteblond Burleson, TX Zone 8a April 28, 2008 | Nanny, I do think you are right! I knew I had seen it before but not recently. I was just noticing too that the male hasn't been here in a few days. It's odd that she looks so different from the male, almost like a giant sparrow. It was definitely more timid than the male. I'll have to find something "special" to put out for her tomorrow, just in case. :) Thanks! This message was edited Apr 28, 2008 10:48 PM |
| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 29, 2008 | I was close.........it was a bird. |
| seemama Kissimmee, FL Zone 9b April 29, 2008 | Adel: Whatever that "bb" was it's very pretty, I saw my first Yellow Bird and found out it was an Eastern Meadowlark, but my husband complained when I stopped the car to look at it - no question of getting a picture!! |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 29, 2008 | [quote]Well, I think I have yet another warbler[/quote] Blue-winged Warbler, female. Good one! Resin |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 29, 2008 | Oh Congratulations Claire!!!! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 29, 2008 | Wow, thank you Resin, that's exciting! And it even looks like the blue-winged warbler actually lives in Iowa, so maybe it's not just passing through. I hope it will revisit. I looked at the pictures and find that it is quite difficult to distinguish between the pine and blue-winged females, at least for me! What was the characteristic that stood out as making it blue-winged, so that I will know in future? Thanks Claire Edited to say that I begin to think it might be the depth of the yellow colouring, which seems paler on the pine warbler. This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 8:18 AM |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 29, 2008 | I was going on general size/shape (it looks a small, dainty bird, whereas Pine W is fairly chunky as warblers go), and also the nice clean yellow flanks (streaked drab olive-green on Pine). Resin |
| f_chisolm Jackson, MS April 29, 2008 | this was in the shade.
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 29, 2008 | Interesting, sort of looks like that hermit thrush I had a couple of weeks ago, or something similar. |
| f_chisolm Jackson, MS April 29, 2008 | The closest thing I could find was the Hermit thrush also. |
| konkreteblond Burleson, TX Zone 8a April 29, 2008 | LOL adele! Your guess (a bird) was as good as mine. :) |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 29, 2008 | For anyone else who, like me, is having trouble with warbler identification, I found this site which I thought was quite useful. Hopefully I will now be able to have a better guess on my warblers before posting their photos for final ID!! It has a lot of photographs and description on features to look for, which is quite handy, especially when you've only got a couple of shots of the bird from funny angles or backside only, etc. [HYPERLINK@www.giffbeaton.com] |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 29, 2008 | Thanks for the site Claire! I'll take a look at it and maybe add it to the Sticky. |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 29, 2008 | I'd agree with Hermit Thrush too. That warblers link looks quite good, though people with dial-up will find the long page with numerous thumbnail pics very slow to load. Resin |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 29, 2008 | I did notice that. I'm on cable and it loaded sorta slow for me. |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a April 29, 2008 | Yes, I agree - I linked to it at work, which is quite high speed. At home, I'm on satellite internet, which is not as fast and it does take a while to load. None the less, it is quite helpful for someone new to warblers, like me. Every afternoon when I get home from work, I go on warbler patrol! |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ April 29, 2008 | I don't blame you! ^_^ |
| f_chisolm Jackson, MS April 29, 2008 | Thank you Resin and Cmoxon. |
| gardenpom Melbourne, FL Zone 9b April 29, 2008 | Here's a new one for me.
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| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA April 29, 2008 | I'm going to stick my neck out again and say it's a Common Yellowthroat, but I'll hedge mybet and say it's also a yellow bird. |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a April 29, 2008 | someone just had this bird didn't they? Tigerlily??? [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
| gardenpom Melbourne, FL Zone 9b April 29, 2008 | I thought I remembered seeing him here recently. Thanks so much! |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a April 30, 2008 | Yep, Yellowthroat Resin |
| tigerlily Tiller, OR Zone 8a April 30, 2008 | I'm glad some of you are also seeing the very lovely Yellowthroat! They tend to be rather elusive and shy. Each time I have seen them, they were on or very near the ground at my creek or at the pond. |
| gardenpom Melbourne, FL Zone 9b April 30, 2008 | Mine was working from the ground and then up and all over the inside of a large shrub, picking up little bugs. Stayed mostly hidden from view. |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 2, 2008 | At first, I thought it was a song sparrow, but no eye ring, and what's with this rosey tint?
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| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 2, 2008 | Other side…
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| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | Mrs. Ed...Now I know where my Female Purple Finch went! (at least I think that is what it is)! |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 2, 2008 | Yep, female Purple Finch Resin |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | I was right...Resin you have taught me well!! LOL! |
| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | I though I was imagining things earlier today. I was almost sure that we had at least 2 different male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks here this morning. But not sure...just thrilled I had seen them 3 days now. Last year we had a male & female come a couple of times then never saw them again. My suspicions were confirmed this afternoon. Evidently the memo has been put out that Morgan's Diner is open!!
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| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | now I need a date for each of them...though after seeing how they shovel in the food with those big beaks, I will need a job!
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| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | OMG it's contagious adel!! LOL |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ May 2, 2008 | ROTFLOL!! Oh No!!! :-))) |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 2, 2008 | OMG a purple finch. no wonder I couldn't find it in the sparrow section. |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | Nanny and Mrs Ed...LOL!!! |
| adelbertcat Klamath River, CA May 2, 2008 | Nanny_56 I knew it was contagious, I didn't know it could travel through cyberspace> |
| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b May 2, 2008 | :) |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 3, 2008 | 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
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 3, 2008 | Yep, agree with Solitary Sandpiper Resin |
| PeeperKeeper Georgetown, TX Zone 8a May 3, 2008 | 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.
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| PeeperKeeper Georgetown, TX Zone 8a May 3, 2008 | 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.
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| PeeperKeeper Georgetown, TX Zone 8a May 3, 2008 | It was so windy. Sorry these pics aren't great.
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| PeeperKeeper Georgetown, TX Zone 8a May 3, 2008 | I've also been seeing lots of House Finches, which makes me happy! Here's another of my mystery bird.
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 3, 2008 | 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 |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | 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
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 3, 2008 | Yep, Brown Thrasher. Resin |
| pelletory Marlton, NJ May 3, 2008 | Congratulations guys! |
| PeeperKeeper Georgetown, TX Zone 8a May 3, 2008 | 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! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | 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! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | 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.
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | And here is one as it flew away, with yellow on it.
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | and here's one in the underbrush
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | which subsequently flew onto a tree, woodpecker-fashion.
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | I declare, I shall never be a proper bird watcher at this rate! |
| nanny_56 Putnam County, IN Zone 5b May 3, 2008 | 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! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | 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! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | 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.
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| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 3, 2008 | Pretty sure the one flying away with yellow is the yellow rumped warbler. |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 4, 2008 | 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 |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 4, 2008 | 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 |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 4, 2008 | Yep, the small bill, and also that overall it is a small bird. Resin |
| dawnleek Nashville, TN May 4, 2008 | 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 |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 4, 2008 | Ruby-throated Hummingbird looks odd...immature or female? Sorry about the window shot!
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| OldNed Merritt Island, FL Zone 10a May 4, 2008 | Here are some old posts that may be helpful in comparing Downey/Hairy Woodpeckers: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 4, 2008 | Yep, female Ruby-throated Hummingbird Resin |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 4, 2008 | Thanks Resin...do the males have the white spots on the outer tail like the female? |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 4, 2008 | Nope, just all-blackish tail feathers; they are also narrower, and more pointed. Resin |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 4, 2008 | Thanks Resin...I didn't realize the tails were different. |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | 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...
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | Here is a not-so-good shot, but you can see her pale front. She is just slightly left of center.
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| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | Here's a final shot in case it adds anything that isn't visible in the others.
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| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | Song sparrow???
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| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | Bump! (just in case this got lost on the new forum) |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 5, 2008 | [quote]In the meantime, I have a new drab visitor this morning[/quote] Not possible to identify conclusively on these pics, but most probably Warbling Vireo. [quote]Song sparrow???[/quote] Lincoln's Sparrow (a close relative of Song Sparrow). Note the fine streaks on the breast. Resin |
| Mrs_Ed Whiteside County, IL Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | 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!! |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 5, 2008 | Congrats Mrs. Ed...I've never seen one! Haven't a clue what this is!
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 5, 2008 | Female House Sparrow! Resin |
| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 5, 2008 | BTW, with Bird Ident having its own forum now, it'd be better to start each query as a new thread, rather than continuing with this volume . . . it'll make things easier when the 'Mark as SOLVED' feature is added soon. Resin |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 5, 2008 | I thought this one might be a female Blue Grosbeak but not sure. Thanks Resin...good grief you'd think I'd know that by now!!!
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 5, 2008 | Sorry, that one's a female Brown-headed Cowbird! Resin |
| dellrose Conway, MO Zone 5b May 5, 2008 | Thanks Resin...I'm going back to square one! I think I am suffering from wishful thinking! LOL! |
| CMoxon Urbandale, IA Zone 5a May 5, 2008 | Thanks Resin! Just when I thought I was getting a clue about warblers, now I've got a warbling vireo....oh dear!! |
| angele Elephant Butte, NM Zone 7b May 5, 2008 | Of the red finches, I've only added House Finch to my life list. I'm wondering if this might be a new one to add? Only got this one photo. It is already getting hot here in New Mexico and the birds are looking for shade too :-) edited to add: just read your post about starting a new thread Resin, sorry I didn't see it before. Next time!! This message was edited May 5, 2008 5:12 PM
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| Resin Northumberland (UK) Zone 9a May 6, 2008 | That looks like a Cassin's Finch you have there. Hard to tell from Purple Finch from this photo, but Purple Finch wouldn't normally be in NM. Resin |
| angele Elephant Butte, NM Zone 7b May 6, 2008 | Thank you Resin. YOU are very much appreciated :-) |
