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Fluffy robin close up

Fox Sparrow; DuPage Co., IL

Whoping Cranes 2015 Whopping Crane's international crane foundation. by johnd1964, on Flickr

From today, Black bellied whistling duck that's being chilling in S.E. Michigan for a while

I actually emailed the Park to ask and this is their reply

American Tree Sparrow

Eastern Bluebirds.

So Nat Geo and I aren't on the same page. This is what I get when the sun is shining directly into my lens and the subject is inside a dark place. I gotta wait for a cloudy day to try it again. I don't think this pair is going to be going anyplace. This is highly photoshopped!

1. Red-tailed Hawk - the white speckling on the back is a good clue 2. Hermit Thrush indeed 3. Anhinga - with the white in the wings, small head, long thin dagger of a bill with a straight tip 4. Laughing Gull - with the dusky stuff on the head and the kinda dark gray mantle

This is a Hermit. The best hint is time of year; while Hermit can be found year-round in much of California, Swainson's only breeds here and is mostly absent late October - early April. You'll also notice the eye-ring and pale parts on the cheek and throat are whitish, rather than the general buffy wash across this area that Swainson's have. The dark loral/supraloral area is also a good hint - Swainson's have more of a spectacle than an eye-ring, with the area between the eye and the bill a pale buffy.

Blue Mockingbird by Mark Goodwin, on Flickr

You and Kevin may be right with Nashville. I personally don't get a small, tiny impression, but it's not really possible to tell here.

I am uncertain what this diving bird is. Taken in Northern California USA in November 2019. Thank you for your assistance.

Agreed. But aren't the birds in the last photo either Shiny Cowbirds or some other blackbird?

1) Pectoral 2) Greater Yellowlegs 3) Dunlin 4) Least Sandpiper 5) Rusty Blackbirds.

I agree with Great Blue Heron. The reddish color in the cap is a photo artifact. Sandhill Cranes have larger, floppier tails and smaller black beaks.

Yup. Awesome bird.

Here it is: https://ebird.org/checklist/S46888240 (Note that the bird in the checklist is NOT in Alternate Adult Plumage) Honestly, if I were given the pictures on the checklist, I would immediately say longipennis. For one, the bill is right on - it is straight and short. @blackburnian's bird is the opposite. I'm definitely not saying that @blackburnian's bird is not interesting -- it is quite dark. But overall, I think structure always matters more than coloration, which is very variable.

This is a Great Egret. The size of the bill/bird is quite hard to differentiate — both species are very large and have large bills. However, note how a white Great Blue Heron would have pale legs/feet, not dark ones as seen on your bird. Additionally, in the U.S., white Great Blue Herons almost live exclusively in Florida, with some found on the east coast, but this race is never found in California.

Bill color favors Clark's but I don't think it's possible to ID here because we can't see the eye area. Poor thing...

Good heavens! Also the six emarginated primaries are a clue for an accipiter.

Hi Corgi, I usually get on the forum later and don't spend a whole lotta time on most occasions. I don't comment too much but did enjoy your post! G

Thanks, again. I see chipping now. the black isnt shadow,no sun there today to create shadows,it was raining like the dickens though.

It's a really good bird this far south in CT. Northern Shrikes are somewhat regular in Northern CT in winter, but pretty rare in the southern counties. Nice find! I would definitely put this in eBird.

Found at Lake Murray....great spot for birding! Here's the ebird listing https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3675490

Coopers hawk

With that finely barred tail and primaries, mostly pale tail, and stocky appearance, this looks good for a young Harlan's RT Hawk in my opinion. Wait for more opinions.

I believe you have a young Black-bellied Plover. Wait for a second opinion.

I agree that this is a dark Red-tail.

Agreed.

Thanks for posting the link, Jerry. Great site with some really interesting articles!

The first two look fine for Cassiar to me (defined hoods but gray sides). The last one looks more like a female Oregon but the gray on the flanks makes me think it has some Slate-colored in there. Yes, Cassiar Juncos are Oregon x Slate-colored. Otherwise known as Dark-eyed Junco cismontanus, and that's what eBird uses (it doesn't recognize "Cassiar").

These four pics are of one hawk. They were taken last month on a golf course in SW Arizona. I think the barred tail tells me it's a Cooper's Hawk, but what is the white marking on one side of the head? Thank you for any help you may be able to contribute.

Yep.

Having trouble telling which kind this is, friend suggested red breasted. Taken in southern Nevada today. Thanks!!!

Yes, Broad-tailed Hummingbird - note the fully green upperparts, buffy flanks, and pale eyering. Calliope Hummingbirds would have a smaller bill/body and a shorter tail without rufous on it. Rufous Hummingbirds would have rufous on the upperparts. Anna’s Hummingbird - note the gray underparts, red central throat patch, and pale line above the eye.

Western Red-tailed Hawk. Not exactly sure on what subspecies...

That is a Savannah Sparrow (yellow supercilium, thin pink beak, tan cheeks, back, and wings).

By the warn, rather than crisp, fresh plumage this is an adult. Not possible to tell sex.