[Maine Gull]

taken in June in Maine

 

thx

[gull #1]

13 hours ago, lonestranger said:

Didn’t you know that birds don't always read about dress codes or range maps before going out in public, @zoutedrop? 

I worded my rant incorrectly as I was not questioning the ID, just my frustration that, especially with gulls, a guide doesn't tell you everything you need and poorly tried to explain that. With my lack of discerning color variations, zero auditory skills, and poor memory makes me the perfect nonbirder. There are times that I cringe posting a question because I know in advance that it would be obvious to someone. I have been on this site since 2009 and find that the current group of active participants are excellent and I am very grateful for the help.

Despite my personal frustrations, I keep coming back.....

I am too digital and too old to fix it.

[OLD PICTURE #23]

central Arizona September

[OLD PICTURE #22]

Central Arizona November

eastern phoebe?

[OLD PICTURE #21]

south central Arizona December

Song?

[OLD PICTURE #19]

17 minutes ago, AlexHenry said:

Western Tanager

the wing projection goes well beyond the undertail coverts and the wing bars aren't evident(?) why I had trouble

[OLD PICTURE #20]

central Arizona in September

 

[OLD PICTURE #19]

north central Arizona taken in August

[OLD PICTURE #18]

north central Arizona taken in August

I think a Western Tanager

[Pacific slope vs hammond’s]

Hammond's has a very long wing projection that goes well past the undertail coverts

[OLD PICTURE #17]

all pictures from central Arizona in winter

I think eared grebe

[OLD PICTURE #16]

central California August

thanks

 

[gull #2]

3 minutes ago, Avery said:

My GUESS is that all but number 4 are. 4 might be Herring? Definitely wait for more opinions

primaries are lighter than Western, didn't catch that

[gull #4]

Santa Maria, CA in March

[gull #3]

Santa Maria, CA in March

I think all the following are Ring-billed Gulls

[gull #2]

Santa Maria, CA in March

I think all the following are Western Gulls

[gull #1 followup]

I have a number of shots of that I think are short-billed, but not adults.

Please let me know if any of these are not short-billed.

All from the same location and taken in March.

thanks

[Juvie gull - Herring or Lesser Black-backed - SW MI 10/7]

35 minutes ago, chipperatl said:

I deleted a bunch of them, so don't think I have anything much better.  

I learned fairly quickly into my birding that sometime obscure angles and lousy pictures actually add to the ability to ID a problem bird. Since then, I have kept every shot I have ever taken and simply file them by date for future reference. On multiple occasions that process has saved me. Storage is cheap.

[gull #1]

I am probably beating a dead bird here, but these illustrations are what I was working with. Per my observations (which are typically faulty) 1) my bird is in adult plumage, 2) does not have a yellow beak, 3) has gray legs

thanks again for your help in getting me a lifer, fun anyway you look at it

[gull #1]

9 hours ago, Avery said:

Short-billed Gull I believe

pls save my sanity by agreeing that this bird does not look like any of the examples provided by Sibley

and BTW, lifebird! a big thanks

[gull #1]

Santa Maria, CA in March

I seem to have a block...?

thanks

 

[OLD PICTURE #15]

5 minutes ago, Aidan B said:

Looks like a Hooded Oriole to me. 

I looked at my shots of the two species and agree with you on Hooded as there is more color on the breast(?)

[OLD PICTURE #15]

central Arizona June

Bullock's Oriole

[OLD PICTURE #14]

central Arizona February

American Pipit?

[OLD PICTURE #9]

thx DLecy, discussions like this make me feel better about my not having ID'd the bird,