Late Winter 06/07 Bird ID Thread

[paulnj]

.........and it's male too.

[jfelbab]

Oh, yeah, I hadn't noticed.

BTW, Paul, I wanted to mention that I'm down here in Cape Coral again this winter and a few days ago we had thousands (literally) of Robins migrating through. They were here for two-three days and now they are completely gone. Weather doesn't look very good for their trip north. I seem to recall that this is two weeks later this year for their migration than last year. Probably means a later spring warming this year. Quite a sight.

Still no burrowing owls sighted and it is very parched here again this winter.

[karen m.]

I went to the local duck pond and saw this duck, and I was wondering what kind it is. The picture was shot in long Beach Calif. Thanks

[paulnj]

Jim, most of the burrowing owls on cape coral are gone. I think the huricanes got them.

[Copy_Kot]

Please, please, please... tell me this is a Northern Flicker And not a RB... If it is, it's my first time ever seeing one... and I didn't know we had them here. It means that there are more! Taken this morning.

[paulnj]

Sure is a northern flicker

[Copy_Kot]

Thanks Paul, I thought so... just wanted to make sure Do you know if wp's are territorial birds? Now I want a better shot, lol.

[paulnj]

They are somewhat migratory right now, but during late spring and summer are definately stationary due to nesting. That area should still have that bird after only a day.

learn the call

http://www.uwgb.edu/birds/wbba/speciesaudios.htm

bottom left

[Copy_Kot]

Thanks Paul, that is a very cool link!

Here is another one from yesterday, a surf scoter. How does a bird like this end up a good 300+ miles from the ocean? He was hanging around with some scaup's.

[paulnj]

Migration and the latest storm system pushed him inland. I see them in winter on the ocean and in early spring a few end up on inland ponds about 70 miles from the coast.

[Sushigaijin]

alright...i've been looking for this photo for about three days, figure i might as well post it since I am at a total loss. found in Chicago, 09/20/06 - I've been sitting on it for a while, it was misfiled and then forgotten about. Sorry about the OOF, I wanted to make sure I got at least an ID shot...and that's all I got, as it took off five seconds later, before I could round the bend for an unobstructed shot.

[paulnj]

Young double crested cormerant

[Copy_Kot]

Today was my first time seeing this duck. It has the bluish grey bill, teal head, and brown body with a white patch of breast feathers. I can’t find it in either my Sibley or Audubon field guides… what kind of duck is it? Before last week, I had no idea that there are so many cool ducks!

[paulnj]

It's a domestic mallard mix

[Copy_Kot]

Thanks Paul, no wonder I didn't see any others like it. Sure is cool looking

[Copy_Kot]

Found this hawk while out looking for my eagle... a red-tail? I thought it had a dark bar on its tail, but it's just a tree branch.

Oh... and there was a pretty good sized nest less than 20 yards away.

[paulnj]

Sure that's a redtailed hawk.

[Copy_Kot]

Herring, Iceland, Thayer's, or Lesser Black-backed in 1st winter plumage? Something tells me that it's just a Herring... I hope it's an Iceland or Thayer's.

[paulnj]

NONE of the above Great black-backed gull

[Copy_Kot]

LMAO! :lol: Thanks Paul... back to the books I go.

[Loupey]

With the white rump and flight characteristics, I thought this was just another harrier. But the face and lack of black wing tips makes me question it.

Poor captures but please advise. Thanks!

[paulnj]

Redtailed hawk

[Copy_Kot]

A new one at the feeder Dark birds give me trouble even with two books, could this be an indigo bunting? It would be my first time ever seeing one if it is (it's my first time seeing this bird whatever it is).

[paulnj]

brown headed cowbird female. They are vermon and arrive early with blackbirds.

[Copy_Kot]

LOL, why vermin? They couldn't be any worse than starlings... or blue-jays... blue-jays are really starting to get on my nerves.