Inastrangeland

Looking for help I.D.ing these birds that were see in Mid-Central Cuba on Cayo Coco in early January. I'm hoping some of these may be familiar to those in the South East. Unknown (2)...is this just a house sparrow? Unknown 3(2)....this one was bigger than a Jay, a bit smaller than a crow. Notice the white black and white tips on the tail feathers? Unknown ......Dunlin maybe? Thanks Everyone. Mike

Granted, it’s only one feature, but it’s one of the few we can see.....the rounded tail suggests Cooper’s.

Thanks for getting the ball rolling on this one Liam. Tennessee was my front runner too.

If they're in breeding plumage, you can tell them buy looking at their scapular feathers. Short Billed will have narrow buffy tips, with the edging extending all the way up the feather. Long billed will have a broader end to the feathers, with the the buffy limited to the tips. I can see people calling the first one you submitted a short billed because there IS some breeding feathers in there, and they have the narrow tips, the buffy edging going all the way up the feather.

Frequently need help with these....seen in Ottawa, Ontario today. Pictures are of the same bird. Thanks in advance, Mike

This time of year, mallards are kinda in between plumages (ramping up for their typical breeding pattern),so it’s understandable that you question if they are mallards. You can still see the chestnut coloured breast (although muted) among other typical mallard characteristics.

Perfect. OK, I'll watch for the streaks next time. Thanks everyone. Mike

but thinking it's an Indigo Bunting. Seen in Ottawa, Ontario, August 15th. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks Everyone, Mike

Pretty confident with Long-Billed. Note the feathers have broad buffy edges that don’t extend all the way up to the top. Short-billeds have narrow buffy edges that extend the entire length of the feather. Thats how I differentiate the two anyway.

I guess so.....that chevron on the wing is pretty unique, and it's lightness can be attributed to the lightening in the photo program. Nice work. Thanks. Mike

Because of the low light, I'm having a hard time with this one, but I'm leaning towards Magnolia Warbler. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Taken this morning in Ottawa, Ontario. ....and unfortunately it is as lightened as I can go. Thanks everyone, Mike

Great guess with Anhinga by the way. Very similar characteristics.

I second lesser. Smaller features overall.

Yeah, that eye line is too pronounced for a Philly.

Lots suggesting these are Bobolink, especially the last pic.

Looks like a Warbling Vireo to me.

Agree with short billed. On short billed, the feathers have Buffy (beige) edges, that notably go all the way up the feather (you can see this on your bird). In long-billed, the Buffy colour is limited to the tips of the feathers.

Agree with short-billed. The Buffy edges travel the entire length of the feather, and are not limited to just the tips (as in the long-billed).

Agreed, but I think we can rule out Baird’s....the wingtips don’t go past the tail.

I like your deductions, but I’d still go pectoral if I had to ID it. The bill looks fine to me, as does the overall shape.

Yes, a domestic mallard.....maybe a Buff Orpington?

Yep, this is someone’s pet Budgie.

Thanks again for this. Don't worry, I've learned not to get my hopes up in birding. In looking at the original pic, there does seem to be a bit of a fork, so I do think this is Bank. Nonetheless, this discussion has taught me to look for the flat tail and duller throat if I'm looking for a NRWS. Thanks a bunch everyone. Good discussion! Mike

This is a great explanation Mr. Spencer, thank you! That would be one hell of a flock to have all 5 local species in there..... There were only about 12 birds in there total! Northern Roughed Winged would be a lifer for me believe it or not, so I'd love to get some seconds or more details on differentiating this from a Bank Swallow.

.....Sorry, taken in Ottawa, Ontario today.