smittyone@cox.net

Just standing on the road. The bird was transiting from one pond to another.

Seen at sunrise this morning at Loess Bluffs NWR, in NW Missouri. The very light cream (almost white) and dark chocolate (almost black) markings on this immature RTHA make me wonder if it could be a light morph Harlan's. Thoughts?

Seen at sunrise this morning at Loess Bluffs NWR, in NW Missouri. This is the lightest Red-tailed Hawk (RTHA) I think I've seen. Is there enough evidence in this single pic to determine if it's a Krider's RTHA? Unfortunately, I have no other views to help support/oppose my guess.

Seen today at Loess Bluffs NWR, in NW Missouri. Is this a Lesser or Greater Yellowlegs? If I were to guess, I'm leaning towards Lesser because the feet don't trail very far beyond the tail.

Seen today at Loess Bluffs NWR, in NW Missouri. Are these Glossy Ibis or White-faced Ibis? I noticed in the first pic, the bird's eye appears green, but in the 2nd pic the eye appears red with a reddish area ahead of the eye too. Is one perhaps an adult and the other immature?

What is the (in focus) duck near the top of this image? Pic taken 2 weeks ago in NW Missouri.

What's this Sparrow? Seen last week in NW Missouri. I'm guessing adult Song Sparrow (Eastern?).

Wouldn't there be a yellow eyebrow stripe if this was a Savannah? or is it too young to see that yet?

Seen last week in NW Missouri. This one is difficult for me because it's a young bird. I don't see any yellow on the face, so that should narrow it down. The breast streaking appears kinda thin too, that should also help.

Seen last week in NW Missouri. I'm forever confused by "stripey faced" sparrows. I'm leaning towards Savannah with this one, but not 100% sure.

Seen yesterday morning in NW Missouri. Is this Red-tailed Hawk a Harlan's? I know Harlan's colors can vary from nearly black to lighter tones and "normal" RTHAs can also vary nearly as much. These shots are heavily cropped and were originally underexposed. I may have over-brightened them a bit in post.

Seen this morning in NW Missouri. The colors may be a bit off--it was in shade and I brightened up the image (a lot). Was this a Song Sparrow?

Both were seen this morning in NW Missouri. The first two pics (both the same bird) I think was a Savannah Sparrow. The 2nd two pics (both the same bird) I think was a Swamp Sparrow. Am I right?

These were both shot in NW Missouri about a mile apart but with several hours difference. I believe they're both Dark-eyed Junco. The first one appears to have more brownish tones and a cream colored underside while the 2nd bird appears more dark gray and white. Is it just different lighting, or is one a male and the other female?

While shooting Swamp and Savannah Sparrows in NW Missouri this afternoon, this fella showed up. Is it a Dickcissel?

Seen late yesterday afternoon in NW Missouri. Are these two birds adult male Great-tailed Grackles?

Seen today in NW Missouri. Is this a Swamp Sparrow?

I've seen lots of yellow-shafted Northern Flicker over the years. But today marks my first red-shafted variety. All the pics I've seen of them show the malar stripe (moustache?) as being just as vibrant red at the neck chevron. This bird's moustache has a lot of black mixed with the red. Does this mean my first red-shafted bird is actually an intergrade between yellow and red versions? And what would be the proper name for this bird? Seen today in NW Missouri. In my birding area--eastern NE and western IA--red-shafted flickers are extremely rare.

Seen this morning at Loess Bluffs NWR near Mound City, NW MO. I've seen lots of adult male Brown-headed Cowbirds before. But I've never seen the blue/green iridescence before. Am I missing something, or just not very observant?

First 2 pics are the same bird. Are these both Savannah Sparrows? Seen this morning at Loess Bluffs NWR near Mound City, NW MO.

I watched a flock of them taking advantage of yesterday afternoon's winds and were soaring around a farmer's field. Seems weird to see gulls flying around rural areas here in the midwest. Seen just south of Council Bluffs, IA. What kind of gull was this? BTW, it did in fact catch that bug.

Seen this afternoon south of Council Bluffs, IA. I believe this is an immature Northern Harrier, likely a first year bird. Can eye color (or any other feature) help determine if it's a young male or female?

I'm not good at identifying ducks when they're wearing their winter clothes. Seen last week at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA. I see two Blue-winged teal landing among some Northern shovelers. But what are the other two landing ducks? My guess is Gadwall.

Both birds perched on the same branch just moments apart. I'm 95% sure the 1st one is a Song Sparrow. But the 2nd one? It kind of looks like an older, scruffier Song Sparrow. Both seen this morning at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA.

Never seen an immature one before. Also didn't know there are different versions. Never heard of Gambel's before. Thanks Akandula and Connor.