Hooded Merganser?

[Hooded Merganser?]

AAB's page for Hooded Merganser suggests Bufflehead, and Bufflehead suggests the larger goldeneyes, although more so in breeding plumage.  The range is good for all.  I can't address the wing sounds.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Merganser/id

[Solitary Sandpiper or Lesser Yellowlegs?]

 I often fall into the trap of limiting myself to the species suggested by an original poster.  I'm trying to do better this year of looking beyond the listed options; gods know I've often suggested the wrong birds myself.

[New bird in our yard]

@KeleeEiselein, Pine Siskins are an 'irruptive' species.  Their migration patterns and destinations change every winter.  Their movement is based on how much food is available each winter in their breeding territory.  If there's plenty of food, they don't come as far south.  This may be why you haven't seen them in the past.  Indeed, in 15 years, I've only had them at my house in two winters.  I'm in SC, so takes a real shortage of their preferred seeds to drive them this far south.  Some other finches, crossbills, and grosbeaks are other irruptives.

[Some kind of Thrush? LI NY May 2019]

And just for clarification, Veery are indeed a species of thrush.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/veery

[Possibly hawk in Los Angeles]

That flat head is a great field mark.  The similar but smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk has a rounder head.  This bird looks like he was whomped with a frying pan.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/overview

[Cackling Goose?]

Which one, the one dead center, in front of the Canada that's in front of the Mallard?

[Rough-legged Or Red-tailed Hawk?]

55 minutes ago, HamRHead said:

The dark patagals also confirm Red-tailed.

And they're particularly easy to see in that first photo.

[Help to identify unusual bird in Vancouver area]

Welcome!  Killer first description!

[Kinda looks like a TUTI, but...]

Snow Bunting?  Female, non-breeding?

EDIT: Sniped.  Make note to ask akandula's teachers to assign more homework.

[Confirm ID (owl and bluebird)]

Be sure to get @RobinHood's new "Field Guide to Cameras".  Watch for the new iCamera app for Android and iOS.  

[Northern Mockingbird Blue Patches?]

I don't see any blue on my monitor, just black and gray.  it could be an effect of the device you're using to view the image.

Just to formally confirm, this is a Northern Mockingbird.

[Confirm ID (owl and bluebird)]

@Alice Miller, what camera are you using?

Thanks.

[Baffled By Boca Bird]

I like it!  It's so obvious, I don't know how I overlooked it.

[Baffled By Boca Bird]

• Blackpoll Warblers should have cleared out by now, unless maybe this one is very late or very early.
• White-breasted Nuthatch, maybe, although you're likely too far south for those.
• Black-crowned Night Heron, but that's a heck of a lot bigger than a mockingbird.
• Terns wouldn't be likely to land on a roof.
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak, although if you could see the throat then you'd see the red breast spot.

Sorry, I'm out of guesses.  South Florida is notorious for escaped pets, domesticated foreigners, and aviary runaways; it might not be a native bird.

[Baffled By Boca Bird]

1 minute ago, Simester said:

In my neighborhood

And where might that neighborhood happen to be?

[Hawk?]

11 hours ago, Jerry Friedman said:

ridiculously long middle toe,

I haven't heard that one before.  Is that reliable?  

[Grey headed Swamphen ID]

21 minutes ago, akiley said:

You may know the name Purple Swamphen.

I'm aware of Purple Gallinule but not Purple Swamphen.  Same thing?

[Yellow-bellied or Red-naped Sapsucker?]

According to AAB, Red-naped.  Yellow-bellied would have a black border around the red throat.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-naped_Sapsucker/species-compare/65051951

Sniped by akandula, but I'm used to it.

 

[Grey headed Swamphen ID]

I hadn't heard of a Gray-headed Swamphen before this thread.  They don't show in AAB; I had to go to Birds of NA to find a description.

"Teacher, I learned something today!  Can I go home now?"

[Which Scaups?]

1 hour ago, Tony Leukering said:

At least most are Greaters.

I see what you did there.

[Long shot - Owl? - very bad photos]

4 hours ago, SirVive said:

Sure looks to me like the head is nearly as wide as the body

 

2 hours ago, HamRHead said:

That's what I was seeing, too. Although there may be branches contributing to, or detracting from the appearance.

I have a hard time telling where tree ends and bird begins, especially in the area of the head.

[Help Identify this bird seen in San Jose CA.]

Welcome to Whatbird!

I agree with @Kevin.  The photo is a bit overexposed, making the breast look stark, the bill look almost bluish, and overemphasizing the slight mask.  That gave me a bit of trouble but the body shape, posture, and exposed perch are good for a Northern Mockingbird. 

[confirm White-Eyed Vireo?]

Okay, I can see the white-over-black wing bars this morning.  I can agree with the kinglet.

[confirm White-Eyed Vireo?]

Pine Warbler was my initial impression, but we all know how little that's worth.

[Sharp Shinned or Coopers Payette, Idaho]

I hope to one day have seen enough Sharpies and Cooper's that I can distinguish the relative thickness of their legs and toes.  But I can at least tell that they're blue!

Oh, wait; that's vireos, isn't it?  Oh, piddle...