smittyone@cox.net

Is the smaller bird left of the Wilson's Phalarope a Least Sandpiper? Pic taken last week at Loess Bluffs NWR, NW Missouri.

Thank you. These would be my first Dunlins then. Yeah, a new Lifer!

Pics taken in NW Missouri last week. What are these two shorebirds? If they're both the same, is the difference in color due to breeding vs. non-breeding plumage? I have no frontal shots of the bird on the right.

Did we decide on Pectoral Sandpipers?

I'm assuming they're Sandpipers. Images were taken in April 2020 in NW Missouri.

Seen last week at Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, IA. Is this a non-breeding adult Pectoral Sandpiper? I have other pics but they're also side on, and equally low quality.

Seen last week at Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, IA. Is this a breeding adult Marbled Godwit?

These were the pics I meant to post (not the Warbling Vireo). Oof! Pics were taken in May 2021 at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA. Is this a Traill's Flycatcher (Alder/Willow)?

Oops. Sorry. Been editing so many pics today, my eyes (and brain) are fried.

Like the one posted earlier today, this one was also seen in May 2021 at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA. Is it also a Traill's Flycatcher?

So Alder and Willow can only be distinguished by their calls, correct?

Updating my archives and found this flycatcher I've never posted. Shots were taken in May 2021 at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA. I only have side profile pics.

Seen last week in Loess Bluffs NWR, NW Missouri. Both White-faced and Glossy Ibis have been reported here this Spring. I believe the bird with it's wings raised is a White-faced based on the reddish skin ahead of it's reddish eyes. In other pics of this same bird, the legs are pinkish-red. The others in the photo are clearly breeding adult White-faced Ibis. My question regarding the bird with it's wings raised--is this a non-breeding adult, or an immature bird? I believe I read somewhere that adults can lose the white stripe around the eye as they get older.

What are the birds in the foreground? Taken yesterday at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri.

Seen today at Loess Bluffs NWR, near Mound City, MO. Are these Northern Rough-winged Swallows?

Seen yesterday in NW Missouri. Is this a Lincoln's Sparrow?

Well that's too bad. But thanks for the ID, and the reasons for it. I appreciate it.

Seen today in NW Missouri. I initially thought it might be a Sharp-shinned hawk, but noticed the tiny bill. Could this be an immature Northern Goshawk? If so, it'd be a lifer for me.

Harris's Sparrow molting into breeding plumage

This adult Harris's Sparrow was seen yesterday in Council Bluffs, IA. Because the cheeks or side of it's head have mostly grey and very little to no tan/light brown color, it'd be classified as a breeding adult. I assume it's molting. Is it simply molting from non-breeding to breeding plumage?

Seen yesterday at DeSoto NWR near Missouri Valley, IA. Unfortunately this is the only angle I captured of this male Grackle. The tail "appears" longer, so I'm leaning toward Great-tailed, but I'm still not 100% sure.

Seen yesterday afternoon in Council Bluffs, IA. I'm pretty sure these are (Western) Willets, but just wanted to make sure.

Seen 2 days ago at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. Are these Pectoral Sandpipers?

Photographed yesterday at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. Assuming both of these birds are Yellowlegs, is this a good example of size comparison? Greater in the background, and Lesser in the foreground.

Can I assume because of the lighter plumage and location, that these are both likely Western subspecies?