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Snowy Egret at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, SC 3/14/20

Female Belted Kingfisher

Willitt Anahauc NWR 10-17 by johnd1964, on Flickr

Brown Thrasher by Mark Goodwin, on Flickr

Definitely a Snow Goose. Note the large size and hefty bill with a prominent grin patch.

Some individual shorebirds -- particularly one-year-olds -- do not complete northward migration in spring, and coastal areas see a smattering of arctic-breeding (and other) shorebird species that do not breed there through much of the summer, though usually in very small numbers. Certain species seem more prone to this than others, with Black-bellied Plover and Sanderling being the best examples. [A brief aside: Note that Sanderling is NOT a peep. "Peep" is a term for only the smallest species of Calidris and covers only 10 species: Least, Baird's, White-rumped, Semipalmated, Western, and Spoon-billed sandpipers and all of the stints.] However, many shorebird species are very early fall migrants, being on the move southward in June. The earliest fall-migrant shorebirds are typically those that breed on the prairies (American Avocet, Willet, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew), with apparent south-bound birds showing up south of breeding range in mid-June. Next are those breeding in the taiga (Greater and Lesser yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper), with arrival at latitudes such as those of Ohio and Colorado in late June or early July. Most shorebird species rely on long life, rather than high reproduction for species maintenance. This may be most true for arctic-breeding species, as appropriate breeding conditions at high latitudes are brief and sometimes non-existent. Thus, breeders of most species will initiate fall migration if nests fail. In Colorado, the last apparently northbound Semipalmated Sandpipers are found in the first few days of June, while the first apparently southbound birds arrive in the last few days of June. Finally, a few shorebird species conduct their prebasic molt on the breeding grounds after breeding (most do it on or near winter grounds), thus they are rare south of the breeding range before fall. The best examples of these species are Dunlin and Purple Sandpiper. In mid-summer, noting the plumage of the bird(s) in question -- which plumage and how worn -- can assist in determining whether you're seeing a non-breeding one-year-old or a southbound adult whose breeding attempt failed early. Birds of the first sort will be scruffy, usually with little alternate plumage (aka breeding plumage), while the latter birds will be spanky adults in bright, relatively unworn plumage.

Recently had the chance to bird essentially everywhere in FL over the past couple of days. Here’s some highlights: Photos will come later. Bold means lifers. - good numbers of whistling-ducks, always fun to see - FOY Chuck-will’s-widow at a gas station pre-dawn. Good way to start the trip - obviously huge numbers of waders including American Bitterns, night herons, Purple Gallinules, Limpkins, etc. - lots of classic southern FOY passerines like Parula, gnatcatcher, WE Vireo, etc. - Mottled Ducks and ground doves, these are things I don’t see in NC - an unbelievable amount of Sandhill Cranes, including some dancing birds - big numbers of Swallow-tailed and Snail Kites - 50+ shrikes - a family of Western Kingbirds found in central Florida - 2 Whooping Cranes. Awesome birds - roadside Crested Caracara - continuing La Sagra’s Flycatcher in the Everglades - Monk and White-winged Parakeets - FL Keys birds like Common Myna, Mag Frigatebird, and FL Prairie Warbler - family of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on the keys. According to eBird, the most common bird I hadn’t seen in the ABA area - Countable Muscovy Ducks - and lastly, just before sunset on day 2, two beautiful Spot-breasted Orioles in a neighborhood N of Ft. Lauderdale. These had been a personal nemesis

Aleutian Cackler (leucopareia) vs Ridgway's Cackler (minima) - Aleutians have white collar, Ridgway's has larger white cheek patch, very dark breast with some blackish gloss, as well as being smaller in size and having a rounder head and shorter bill.

Loggerhead shrike

Looks like a domestic Muscovy Duck to me.

That's a Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Note the rufous crown and eyeline and white eyering and malar stripe.

I would say that this is a Swamp Sparrow.

New PFP!!!! NSHR that I found today.

I agree with adult Cooper's. The very bulky appearance, large head, and long tail also rule out a Sharp-shinned.

Welcome to Whatbird! Those are leucistic Red-winged Blackbirds. Leucism is an uncommon condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in a bird or animal. It's not quite albinism, which is the the complete loss of pigmentation. Very nice find!

I see scaly-breasted munia by the beach when I visit Santa Barbara. I didn't know they called nutmeg mannikin or a spice finch which are nicer names. 🙂

This is definitely not a Broad-tailed. They have rufous outer tail feathers. Based on the large, broad tail with rounded tips and limited black, I would call this an Anna's.

Seconded.

The Merlin app, in my opinion, is simply the best free app for out-of-your-region-birds. Here are some reasons why it’s my go-to app: It’s free It has almost all birds in the world in its bird packs. I now can help with majority of IDs in the out of North America subforum and is invaluable for letting me get an idea of the most common birds on personal international trips. It’s comprehensive. It has more than enough photos and sounds for all regional differences. It’s photo ID accuracy has grown exponentially. Although not always correct, this feature is very nice for giving a head start in identification for birds in a complete different region than you’re used to. The range maps represent the entire world and are probably the most accurate you’ll find. This list was focused more on birds that you’re not comfortable with. If you want to go more in depth with birds that live in your area, Audubon is probably better.

Looks like a male Redhead to me.

I agree with domestic Muscovy Duck. I blew the picture up a bit so you can see the bird a bit better...

Sorry, this is the wrong time for immatures. It's actually a nonbreeding adult (it just hasn't molted into breeding plumage yet like the others in the flock).

The last photo looks round-headed and bug-eyed to me.

Nice photos! Here are some of mine... Lesser Goldfinches: Pine Siskin: Also this treat (Northern Goshawk):

You have a Double-crested Cormorant there! Great Blue Herons wouldn't ever be that dark and they would have longer legs too.

That's actually a Double-Crested Cormorant. Notice the yellow, hooked bill, a feature that herons lack.

Seen in southern New Mexico, 3/17/2020

Verdin.

Purple speculum bordered by white is consistent with Mallard

It was too late to edit the original post. This one is correct. Great Egret

American Robin, I think.

Thanks Jerry - this looks pretty similar to the map in my Nat. Geo. guide - as if it wasn't bad enough deciding between two species!! BTW. Switching my sub-species to Northern got it flagged but it was confirmed, so for me it just got better as I may never see a Red-tail here again.

Agree

I saw the bird in Chesterfield, Missouri. It’s labeled as rare on eBird. I’ll include a picture of the species’ range that I got from Merlin to save you the time of looking it up.

Is this an immature Piping Plover? It was with a flock of adults on Hilton Head Island, SC 3/16/20

Wow! Beautiful photo, Spyonabird... I love the displaying feathers! (Just so you know, that's actually a Great Egret ).

Yes, it is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. I was getting the birds mixed up when I agreed with Cooper's earlier. I have this problem with memorizing the differences between 2 birds and then forgetting which birds is which later! ;)

NOOOO!

Young female Sharp-shinned Hawk for me because of the blotchy orange streaks on the breast and belly, thin legs, and steep forehead. The vertical streaking on the breast, streaked head/neck, and pale eyes make this a young bird.

Near-adult Golden Eagle

Maggie, aka 'SquirrelBane the Unstoppable'. Fourteen pounds of Hell on paws.

Local expert and ebird reviewer weighed in. It's a Barred Owl.

That is a Scaly-breasted Munia.

Red-bellied Woodpecker.

A triplet of Snow Geese coming in for landing.

These are more like habitat preferences than hard and fast rules. If there is salt and freshwater right nearby, usually the Short-bills will gravitate to the salt and the Long-bills will gravitate to the fresh. However, you shouldn't base an identification on this as either species can be found in either habitat, especially during migration. The being said, the bird in the photo is probably a Short-billed Dowitcher. Bill shape looks good for Short-billed, and overall compared to this bird Long-billed usually look more chunky in the breast, belly and upper back area, with a sort of indentation in the lower back. But the differences in shape are less apparent among younger birds. I'm definitely leaning toward Short-billed here. Just not sure.