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Western Kingbird and Yellow-billed Magpie

This photo isn't as sharp as I would have liked, but I decided to post it. I normally see Cape May Warblers maybe 5-6 times a year and feel fortunate to ever get a photo of one. It was a bit unusual to see one this early in the year in this area (Chapel Hill, NC) and this was a long range shot which I cropped more than normal for me. Even though it isn't a real sharp photo, I was happy to get it. Cape May Warbler by Mark Goodwin, on Flickr

Evening Grosbeak - March 25, 2020

Going through my archives and wanted to verify that I ID'd these correctly. Three are the same bird, but don't recall if the in flight shot is though. Seen at DeSoto NWR, IA, back on 4/16/2018. Was this a Wilson's Snipe?

Spotted Sandpiper (Identified by whatbird forum members)

In flight, note the only the toes project beyond the tail; on Lesser, more than just the toes projects. The difference between the two is quite similar to that between Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned night-herons.

Canada lynx from this past summer...

Thanks for the quick response. My 5 year old grandson told me he saw a dove that "wasn't like the others" and this was it. Now I can give him an answer

House Sparrow in Flight

Seen yesterday at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. I have a few shots of them next to an American Avocet, if that'd help with size comparison. I don't think I ever saw them fly, but they never strayed more than a foot apart. My immediate thought was Wilson's Snipe, but now I'm leaning towards Long-billed Dowitcher.

Brown Thrasher

Yes, Greater Yellowlegs. Note that the bill is longer than the head and slightly upturned. The Greater Yellowlegs' plumage is essentially identical to Lesser Yellowlegs; gray upperparts with white speckling, and white belly. Proportions are more important for separating two species; bill longer than the head and slightly upturned. Larger overall size than Lesser Yellowlegs with longer neck, blockier head, and bigger chest

Going through my archives and wanted to verify that I ID'd these correctly. All the same bird, seen at L oess Bluffs NWR, MO, back on 10/31/2017. Was this a Wilson's Snipe?

Agree with Short-billed Dowitchers. I love the pictures! Sort-billed Dowitchers sides are barred, not spotted like Long-billed Dowitcher, otherwise extremely similar to Long-billed in all plumages, especially winter when both species are plain gray. Long-billed tends to favor freshwater habitats, but much overlap. Most obvious difference is voice; Short-billed gives rapid series of notes "tu-tu-tu" unlike single piercing "keek!" of Long-billed.

Commorant by johnd1964, on Flickr

Adding one more pic. In lieu of any flight shots, I hope this yoga stretch may help with wing plumage?

Tree Swallow is correct. No American, just Tree Swallow.

Looks like a Pine Warbler to me. Wait for more opinions.

Mourning Dove, Today...

Varied Thrush - March 24, 2020

Seen yesterday at Loess Bluffs in NW Missouri. Although it hung out with an Avocet (shown for scale), a pair of Dowitchers, and the ever-present Killdeer, I didn't see any others like it there. Shot under overcast skies, so the colors may be a bit off. Also heavily cr opped. I'm leaning towards Greater Yellowlegs B/C of the bill length to head ratio.

@Sneat I can not see your photo(s)

Great job of focusing through the trees!!! 👍👍

Thank you. The 2018 shots were with a Canon 1DX II and Canon 100-400 II. The 2017 ones were with a Canon 7D II and Sigma 150-600. I've since ditched dSLRs in favor of mirrorless. I now shoot Sony a9 and Sony 200-600mm.

Saw him or her this afternoon. Thanks for your help!

If you wouldn't mind, would you be more specific about the location next time? Which bay? We have members all over (and outside!) North America. Thanks!

Also yes for Wilson's Snipe.

Yep! Those streaks down the back are notable.

These look better for Short-billed Dowitchers.

145, with latest being Cackling Geese. I have the only sighting of a Summer Tanager in the county. Prior to all the lockdowns I had decided to do a Big Year for the yard anyway. My high was 117 from last year. I’m at 58 so far this year and am 3 for 3 this year on Big Day highs, by month.

100% Spotted Sandpiper.

Well I'm no expert but recently asked on here about one I saw that was the same and learned it was a spotted sandpiper. Now to sit back and see if either I get corrected or I learned that lesson well enough to pass with a C minus 🙄

None of the accipiters have such striking white markings on wings. Additionally, any accipiter with barring below (thus, an adult) will have a dark crown contrasting more or less strongly with the face, unlike both Red-shouldered and Broad-winged hawks.

Northern Mockingbird; the side feathers are covering the wing bars

I agree with Pine, habitat and all.

it's a very rare phenomena that few have captured on film... certain bird species produce an excess of electricity(kind of like when we shock each other with static electricity) and the result is a brief laser show out the birds back end. Usually only happens under dry conditions. It's been known to start a forest fire or two.

Male Horned Lark near Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Thought @Melierax might appreciate these...

Tricolored Blackbirds and first of spring Swainson's Hawks

Orchard Oriole High Island TX by johnd1964, on Flickr

A local wetland has a low number of waterfowl this year but a good variety. This Northern Pintail flew in unexpectedly while I was photographing some Bufflehead.

Seen this afternoon at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. Is this any of the three guesses in the title, or am I way off?

Thanks! My initial reaction was some unholy cross between a chickadee and a flicker!