Mindy Smith

Seemed like too much brown on wings and mustache. Thanks to you both.

Saw this one today, Detroit Michigan suburb, in a mixed grouping of Mourning Doves and a song sparrow beneath a feeder. Color of a juvenile starling but beak is finch or sparrow. No apparent markings on the chest. Didn't look quite right for female cowbird but maybe. Thanks in advance

Rainy day in southeastern BC today. Saw this sparrow that I think is a vesper (chestnut shoulder). Also this bird that I think might be a female yellow-headed blackbird but she was hanging out with a couple of Brewer's males and there were a few cowbirds nearby. Have only seen male yellow-headed blackbirds before and they are easy to tell. Thanks in advance.

Hadn't thought of a female Redhead but she looks more like one than a ring-neck based on head shape and lack of any white in front of the bill.

Inclined to agree with juvenile common grackle - the bill is not right for catbird either

Saw this female yesterday SE Canada at Waldie Island trail pond in Castlegar hanging with a group of mallards and two male ring-necked ducks. Is she a hybrid? Thanks in advance.

Saw this bird today on Waldie Island Trail in Castlegar (southeastern) BC. Gray head, back and wings with lighter belly; very clear white complete eye ring. Did not see brown on wings or white at tail edges but looks most like a Townsend's solitaire. Would be the first I've seen this year if so. Only shot I could get was from the back. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Thanks. So the sharp-shinned have slightly more rounded heads, lack that low brow ridge that makes Cooper's look like they will rip your face off, and even tail feathers. Really appreciate the attention to detail and time it takes to get these.

agree with Shovelers.

Seen March 30 10 am at McNary NWR Burbank slough. I have trouble distinguishing immature Cooper's from Sharp-shinned. Including a photo of the tail and check to show better detail. I think this is a Cooper's but not sure if it meets the thicker legs, rounded tail, and less blurry strips without them standing next to each other... Also, while we were there, a large flock of snow geese flew in. I took these two photos but am wondering about how to estimate the number of birds. Ballpark, I thought about 800 but my partner thought over 1000. Any tips on counting would be helpful.

Thanks. That is helpful, as the demarcation is quite clear in this bird. I have some trouble with light effects on color but from photos online, the color is certainly more vibrant in the commons.

Thanks. I see. I guess I thought there was a range of phenotypes but not that there were subspecies. Explains why some WCSP look so different from others. Best,

Yes, sorry meant chin and what is the Gambel's comment - the only Gambel's I know is the quail.

Hi, the merganser was seen at lost lake in Fresno California on Saturday and the sparrow at Merced NWR. I think the merganser is a common but not seeing a lot of white cheek patch and was at quite a distance. I think the sparrow (2 photos) is an immature yellow-billed white-crowned sparrow but need confirmation (or correction). Thanks in advance.

Thanks Tony. So fortunate to be able to bird here in California for a few months and always grateful for your comments and the help of other birders on this site.

Saw these today at Merced NWR in central California. Are these willets? Thanks in advance.

Saw a large flock of black-bellied plovers today at Merced NWR in central California and these birds mixed in with group. Are these dunlins? Thanks in advance.

Checked out the links that DLecy provided - thanks so much for the additional sleuthing. Clearly the same bird - a survivor and lovely to see.

Seen at Mesilla Valley Bosque SP in New Mexico 2 days ago. Only seen briefly and from the side and back. Is this a black-throated sparrow? Have only seen once before in Texas. Thanks in advance.

Think I may have found it - it looks like photos of a leucitic Black Phoebe. Thoughts?

Seen this afternoon in Merced NWR in central California. Quite distant so cropped all but one photo. White back, wings and tail. Head had a hint of rust color and chest was somewhat gray - maybe a spot of gray on the back. Behavior like a flycatcher or Phoebe. NOT dark wings like a snow bunting but seemed about that size and wrong area for those. Might be a leucistic something. Thanks in advance

Seen on Bob Jones Trail today near Avila Beach in Central Costal California. Never ID'd a rufous but the cap was not split as seen in white-crowned so I think it might be (first 3 photos). Sorry for the sun glare. The next are the warbler on the swaying branch so only caught pieces. Thanks in advance.

Thanks. I always learn so much from you folks.

Saw a flock of shorebirds as Pismo beach in Central coastal California yesterday looking directly into the sun so few details and then the flock took off. I have been seeing curlews so assumed they were but the bill looks short. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I had a similar conundrum yesterday with this bird that I also think is an Anna but the gorget flashed purple and stuck out more than I usually see with the Anna.