Bird Brain

Had this one on the tree in my yard today. Expected it to be just an ordinary Nuttall's Woodpecker till it turned so I could see its long bill. Only got a couple of shots before it flew. Made me wonder if a Nuttall's crossed with a Black-chinned Hummer!!! IMG_2339-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr IMG_2340-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

Ahhh, didn't know that. Thanks for the update.

I agree with @urban snipe Gray Jay, aka camp robber Jay. Saw my very 1st one in Wyo also, just the other day (about 40 some-odd years ago!)

Well, I bought Jerry Lee "The Killer" Lewis a beer once at one of his concerts about 40 some-odd years ago!! So there! (Come to think of it I didn't even think to get his autograph! Guess I'd had a few too many beers myself!! 🥴)

Hmmmmm, I assumed the OP was referring to a Cockatiel, often called 'tiel' for short. But I dunno!

Welcome to Whatbird!! This is a male House Sparrow. Not a native species, it was imported from Europe. When I was a kid we used to also call them English Sparrows. It is identifiable by its black bill and black bib.

Welcome to Whatbird!! This is a Domestic Mallard, frequently seen on ponds and in parks.

"Wanna piece of me??!!?? Huh?? Well, come on! I'm ready!!!!" IMG_2312-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

Hard to decide...... Yellow-billed Magpie IMG_2319-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr or Black Phoebe. IMG_2304-001 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

Yes to 'Just a House Finch", or yes to 'Is there enough of a facial pattern to possibly make it a Purple Finch'?

Saw a small flock of these yesterday in a cemetery at Marysville, Calif. app. 40 miles north of Sacramento. Very skittish birds, hard to get a shot. A couple of the males I saw looked like they might have had more red/pink wash on their flanks than House Finches but I couldn't get a photo. Finally caught this one just as she(?) took off. Is there enough of a facial pattern to possibly make it a Purple Finch? IMG_2281 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

Double-crested Cormorant with a tasty tidbit.... IMG_2231 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr IMG_2232 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

Double-crested Cormorant IMG_2227 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr IMG_2228 by Wayne J Smith, on Flickr

This is a Red-shouldered Hawk. The checkered wing pattern and red shoulder spot are good ID marks. I'd say this is an adult, possibly a young one (1st year bird) that has attained its adult plumage. BTW, I lived in Douglasville for 22 years before moving to Sacramento in 2003!! Small world!

Congrats on the lifers!! The Western Scrub Jay in Colorado Springs would now be a Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, by range. They split the Western Scrub Jay into Calif. Scrub Jay and Woodhouse's.