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Winter Wren

Killdeer.

First bird is a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Not sure about the hummingbird, but as mentioned above, probably Ruby-throated due to range.

Field Sparrow.

These birds suggest Common Tern to me for several reasons. First, range and timing. Arctic Tern would be very rare at Point Pelee. They migrate almost exclusively along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and even there, primarily offshore. Arctic Terns are also fairly late migrants in spring in the northeast, for example in Massachusetts they are seen in the largest numbers as spring migrants in late May and early June, so May 10 would seem rather early to me. The location and date do not necessarily mean that Arctic is not at all possible, just that it is very unlikely. The second thing that is getting me is the bill coloration. During breeding season, Arctics tend to have totally red bills. The birds in the pictures have a black tip the bill which is typical of breeding Common Tern. That being said, in the nonbreeding season, Arctic has a black bill, but I would expect the bill to be totally red during spring migration. The last thing, and in my mind the most conclusive, is the shape of the bird. The terns in the pictures are rather flat-headed, with long bills and some neck in front of the wings, and not super long tails. This is typical of Common Tern and combines to give the impression of a more evenly proportioned bird that is slender throughout with both a long front end and a fairly long tail. Arctic Terns have longer tails but less neck, a short bill, and a rounder head. This gives the impression of a shorter and more bulbous front end, and a long, tapered back end with the proportionately longer tail. Here is a photo of an Arctic Tern. Note the smaller, all-red bill, and the rounder head and shorter neck when compared with the birds in your photos, and overall shorter front end in front of the wings.

A different take on a landscape photo.

Here is a Yellow-fronted Canary that was on my feeder today. It was here 2 years ago for a few weeks, then disappeared. Didn't see it at all last year, so I figured it was the victim of a predator or something else. It showed up here a few days ago again and today I was able to get a few photos of it. It still has the blue band it was wearing the first time it was here. I'm assuming (I know, I know......) it's the same bird. I think the odds of two different blue-banded Yellow-fronted Canaries showing up here would be highly unlikely! First two photos were taken today. IMG_2505 Yellow-fronted Canary by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr IMG_2508 Yellow-fronted Canary by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr Next two photos were taken in Aug 2017. IMG_9600-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr IMG_9606-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

This is an adult Cooper's Hawk. Note the very bulky overall, relatively large, blocky head with a light nape creating a capped appearance (Sharp-shinned would have a dark nape on a rounded head creating a hooded appearance), eyes close to the front of the head, and thick legs.

At least where I am, hybrids are much rarer than Eurasian Wigeons - really good bird!

I had very few opportunities to shoot lately. This is a little Downy in my backyard this afternoon. I was playing with B&W processing.

But of course...then maybe a Nashville? Any other horrendous photos?

Hello all, it’s been a year since I’ve logged in at whatbird. Just wanted to give an update on the Eastern Bluebirds in my neck of the woods. Last winter I decided to try a different method for getting Bluebirds to nest on my property. I’ve had a problem with House Sparrows kicking them out. This past year I decided to see if adding more nesting boxes helped, and it did! I added 3 to the existing one. I was hoping that the HS wouldn’t be able to defend so many boxes. At first, I didn’t think it would take. It seemed that the BBs decided to nest out in the woods or on another property. Then I noticed that the BB make and female returned after the HS were “training” their fledglings. Mr & Mrs set up housekeeping in one house after inspecting the 3 that the HS didn’t pick. Within days, there were 4 eggs! My first brood to keep an eye on! That was probably late May or so. I missed watching them fledge, but saw them shortly after in the trees nearby. I cleaned the house out right away, and presto Mama & Daddy got busy again! The next set was also 4! By August they in full training mode. I didn’t see any Bluebirds for about 6 weeks, but could always hear them around. When the weather started to get chilly, they came back to my feeders. I’m seeing 3 males and 4 females on a regular basis. They seem to swoop into the trees and then take turns at the feeders for several minutes. They come by several times a day. What a joy the process was to watch, from choosing an abode, to building, then laying eggs, incubating them, feed them after hatching, fledging, and then training!

You got it.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

You're correct that the back rightmost bird is a Dunlin. However the other two birds are not Sanderlings, they are some sort of peep, possibly Western Sandpiper. I had never noticed that size variation about Dunlins, but that is interesting. I wonder if the differences in size are related to gender, or disjunct breeding populations, or what?

Shape/structure is spot on for Herring Gull. Bill and head are too big for Kumlien's. I see no sign of Glaucous influence in the bill. I like washed out Herring.

Today I got Blue-headed Vireo, and a BALD EAGLE! Both were very high on my bucket list.

Looks like completely normal color for feather loss to me. As I said, the downy parts can look blue in certain lighting. Look up other photos of birds molting (like Song Sparrows and cardinals).

There was another bird recently with unusual blue feathers, don't remember exactly what or where it was. The OP said it was a cold dry day and this House Finch doesn't appear to be wet. I've never seen down feathers on one that were blue like this one is. I really don't know what the cause is, but it's a very unusual House Finch for sure!

Ruddy Ducks normally have pale-colored lower bills. However, like the one that you pointed out, some birds get stained due to mucking around looking for food. This is why there's more brown on the head/bill on that bird.

Not to mention the bill is all yellow.

There's a lot of out-of-date information about Harlan's. Something like 10 or 15% are light morphs, according to http://checklist.aou.org/assets/proposals/PDF/2019-A.pdf But I agree with the other points @Bee_ keeper quoted from Peterson, though the "spike" in the tail tips (due to white inner webs of the tail feathers) seems to be missing from some. Anyway, as a non-expert, I don't see a problem with calling this Eastern, as expected in Mississippi. The tail looks normal for a juvenile Eastern, as far as I can tell.

Congrats!!! I've yet to see one of those critters....still on my bucket list!

Yes, that is a male House Finch. The blue is likely the downy parts of the feathers showing, which are usually hidden and are gray, but can look blue in some lighting. Maybe it got wet or lost some feathers.

Agreed. Nice find!

1. and 2. Palm Warblers - Even though the amount of yellow on the undersides is variable, note the yellow undertail coverts, streaking on the sides, and prominent supercilium. Its distinctive behavior of tail-wagging can also confirm its ID. Orange-crowned Warblers would be much plainer in appearance, with a nondescript face and a lighter-colored back. 3. Yellow-rumped Warbler - note the compact appearance, streaking on the sides, and pale throat that wraps around the dark auriculars. Palm Warblers would be bulkier, have a different facial pattern, and have yellow (not white) undertail coverts.

Agreed.

Agreed

Nice shots!

Egyptian Goose

Yes, this is an adult Cooper’s Hawk. Note the very bulky overall, relatively large, blocky head, and eyes close to the front of the head. Like you were saying, the uneven tail feathers from underneath (the outer tail feathers are shorter than the outer) are a telltale sign of a Coop. The lighting is probably making it hard to see the light nape.

That's a very slender twig that bird #1 is perched on. It doesn't look like it would support a starling or woodpecker. I don't think even a Downy could get his feet wrapped around it. I think those birds would look proportionately larger with respect to that twig. I don't like a Hummer, the bill is too short and too thick at the base, and I don't think the wings are long enough. Still, I don't know what else it could be. I don't think #2 can be positively identified from this photo. If you held a gun to my head I'd go with Ruby-throat, but I don't see anything to eliminate a female or immature Rufous.

Are you guys sure about Starling? Look at the tail, bill, and that touch of red on the head. I'm not too familiar with eastern Woodpeckers, but maybe Red-bellied? The hummer should be a Ruby-throated by range, but no way to verify by this pic.

Red-tailed Hawk - Harlan's subspecies?

Greater for sure. Nice pics.

... but no blue feet Charlie😀

Christmas Bird Count!

Too fast and very bad angle lol.

Pine Warbler Lufkin Park/Zoo by johnd1964, on Flickr

Pictures from some of my lifers from Phoenix Gila Woodpecker Say's Phoebe

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!

A Red-winged Blackbird taking a ride on a Great Egret.