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American Badger - April 8, 2020

I disagree, whole-heartedly. Willet has WAAAY more white on the undersides of the wings than this bird shows, and the under-wing pattern is black-and-white, not brown with a patch of white in the primaries. See https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/216367161#_ga=2.248602887.1469966111.1586142955-1184313056.1549327880 I'd hate to draw too many conclusions from these out-of-focus pictures, but it seems to me that the bill is short, quite short, and the tail somewhat long, too long for Willet -- and where are its legs if it's a Willet? The bird looks somewhat gull-like to me and I have to admit that the first thing that came to mind was "jaeger." However, I would DEFINITELY not want to claim an inland jaeger on the strength of these photos. I might be willing to go with "Charadriiformes, sp."

Savannah Sparrow

Am I allowed to ask behavioral questions here? If not, please direct me to the appropriate site. Can I assume the Avocet resting it's chin on the water is a female and is "presenting"? Or is this some kind of courtship posturing? What I expected to happen, didn't. So now I'm unsure.

Red Bellied Woodpecker 4/9/20

See? Calliope Hummer. Told y'all.

Black cap, long tail with white tip, trying to catch House Sparrows, looks good for a Cooper's Hawk.

FOY Blue-gray Gnatcatcher!

I had to share a photo of this beautiful bird. First time ever sighting of a Varied Thrush in southern Alberta, 22km south east of Cardston. He's a bit east of his usual range of coniferous forest by the Rocky Mountains. He's been with us since March 29, feeding from our bird feeder.

The majority of these birds are indeed American Wigeons. The green on their head is only seen with good light. I can also see American Coots in the first pic and Gadwalls in the second pic.

Some years a male roadrunner comes up on the patio, and fights with the french doors, for a week or so. It is quite interesting to wach a roadrunner come charging at you!

Amazing photos!

Louisiana Waterthrush by Mark Goodwin, on Flickr

Love that shot of the backlit kestrel - looks like he's all decked out in jewels! Actually had a Merlin visit (and land in) my little 1/4 acre town lot a few months ago Never know what will turn up.

My guess is that this is a Western Sandpiper coming into breeding plumage, but I'd appreciate your yea's or nay's. Thanks! EDIT: Sorry, forgot to add that this bird was seen today by San Francisco Bay.

Grasshopper Sparrow today labeled rare by eBird in PA because it's so early in the year.

Yup.

Its a Horned Grebe. Not sure about the age but its molting from basic into breeding plumage Note the red neck, the shape of the head and bill, the white tip on the bill.

Looks like a male Snowy Owl in a blizzard to me.

Or, "How would we know? If you find some, would you post their contact info for the rest of us?"

Here is a visual that may help

ew, hate this flavor.

Underside color is not a reliable way to sex Barn Swallows. I'd leave this as unknown sex.

SE AZ wetlands - Blue-gray?

Agree with @akandula

And their flycatching behavior, and at this time of year, their incessant whistled ptyooo, ptyooo, ptooee, with the occasional trill when they get excited.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?setNs=p_PRICE_2|0&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&sortType=default&ci=1032&srtclk=sort&N=4083534116 But I don't know about the performance when birding with a scope in the '$250 or less' price range. Sure, you can find some, but they may not be any better than your binos.

Thanks @Tony Leukering, yeah I had a feeling it probably wasn't willet, I put it on eBird mainly to see what my reviewer would say. (He thinks it looks kinda like a gull) I looked at Jaegers too, here are a few that seemed to have a slightly similar wing pattern. https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/114416211 https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/114416211 What I can't really think of any gulls/shorbirds off the top of my head that have a wing pattern like that. @HamRHead I tried to lighten the photos...they quickly deteriorate unfortunately. This is the best I could do.

Least is correct. The yellow legs and, for me, the short bill are good marks.

Western Sandpiper Nice picture!

agreed

Seen today at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. It was by itself and remained in the same area of the same pond the entire day.

Curved bill yellow belly looks good for Hooded Oriole female

Both are indeed adult Horned Grebes. Breeding Eared Grebes would have spread-out golden feathers on the head, a thinner black neck, and a middle-peaked head. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Horned_Grebe/species-compare/65058061

Black-chinned Hummingbirds have been here abut a week, I saw my first Ruby-throated of the year yesterday!

female Brown-headed Cowbird.

Great photos.

Kamikaze Carolina Wren!

The brown "hood" and two-toned pointed wings are good clues.

Adult Swainson's

Rusty Blackbird! 8th lifer for April...

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher! 7th lifer for April...

If looks could kill!

William, I would have thought with all this social distancing there would be some degree of privacy!! William, I still have a feeling we are being watched!

What are you looking at!!! what you never seen a swallow on the ground, deal with it.

I know its at a feeder but still

Northern Mockingbird

Pair of RRBB

I betcha this is one of the weirdest poses you'll ever get from a bird!

1.Western Kingbird 2. American Robin 3. juvenile Northern Mockingbird 4. Rock Wren I think.