smittyone@cox.net

Seen in DeSoto National Wildlife Reserve, western IA, this afternoon. Are these (including the chunky one) Semipalmated Sandpipers?

Seen in DeSoto National Wildlife Reserve, western IA, this afternoon. This is the only angle I was able to capture.

Seen in DeSoto National Wildlife Reserve, western IA, this afternoon. About the same size as Am. Goldfinch, of which there were many in the area. Their range map clearly shows Pine Siskins are in my area during non-breeding. But, the only time(s) I've ever seen them was in northern MN in winter.

South of Council Bluffs, IA, today. My instinct says Carolina Wren because of the wide white eye stripe. But now I'm leaning heavily towards Sedge Wren.

Seen today at sunset south of Council Bluffs, IA. Was facing the sun, so exposure was weird. Is this an immature male Blue Grosbeak?

Thank you Tony. I'll just stick with oversimplified immature or adult for most birds.

Seen today at sunset south of Council Bluffs, IA. Sedge Wren?

I had a HY female Common Yellowthroat and a AHY male Common Yellowthroat identified on here earlier today. I'm confused over the terminology of Hatch Year and After Hatch Year.. Just as I still struggle with juvenile vs. immature birds, now I have this to contend with. I "kind of" understand "First Summer" birds. In that they won't be considered adults until their 2nd Summer (I think). Take 1st Summer Orchard Orioles for example. Wouldn't they still be considered immature? Isn't a HY bird considered an immature bird?

Thank you.

What is HY?

What is AHY?

Seen late this afternoon at Saint Mary's Wildlife Management Area, south of Council Bluffs, IA. This one was seen in the exact same location as the Common Yellow Throat I posted a couple of minutes ago. Shot just a few minutes later. Would this one be a male Common Yellow Throat then?

Is it a female?

Seen late this afternoon at Saint Mary's Wildlife Management Area, south of Council Bluffs, IA.

Thanks Charlie. It was kinda marshy not too long ago--partially flooded farmland, but mostly dried up now. I've seen all 3 types in the same location, so wasn't sure.

Seen today south of Council Bluffs, IA.

Do the blurry flight images help any? Or are we sticking with generic Meadowlark?

I do have side profile (in flight) pics if they would be useful? I didn't include them in the original post because they're blurry. As far as the bump, the post had gone unanswered about 12 hours, so I assumed it would go back up to the top of the list for attention. Sorry if I was breaking any rules or etiquette.

Bump?

I know this is an adult Red-tailed Hawk. It was seen this afternoon in NW Missouri. In my stomping grounds of SE Nebraska, Western Iowa, and NW Missouri, both Eastern and Northern variants are the norm, as well as the occasional Krider's and Harlan's. Can anyone tell if this is a Northern or Eastern bird?

Seen this afternoon in NW Missouri. Is this an immature (Northern) Sharp-shinned Hawk?

Seen this morning at Loess Bluffs (Squaw Creek) NWR In NW Missouri. Is this an Eastern Phoebe?

Seen this morning in NW Missouri. Is this an Eastern or a Western Meadowlark?

Seen late this afternoon at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA. I'm 90 percent sure it's a Mourning Dove, but I miss obvious stuff all the time. I don't know if the late afternoon light makes it look browner than usual? Lately doves are everywhere, most of them seem darker than the usual medium gray Mourning Doves I'm used too. Maybe the immature birds are darker?

Thanks Connor. Although there were no other nearby shorebirds to compare sizes with, they did appear small, though larger than Least Sandpipers.