Dan P

Taken 5-14-2021 at a residence in Monrovia, CA (Los Angeles County). My friend sent me this photo with a bird that she says has white cat ears. Would you call this an eared finch, or a horned finch, or a double-crested finch? And by the way, what is it?

Taken 5-14-2021 in the late afternoon in a residential backyard, Glendale, CA. I'm not sure but think this could be a Bunting?

That's 3 weeks in a row I've never seen the selected species. But then, there are a lot of species I've never seen before. So how about this to satisfy last week and this week together... A wood bird in the oven.

Taken on 5-8-2021 adjacent to the Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows Riverwalk in Glendale, CA. Is this a California Towhee? I'm not sure about that dark band on the tail. It is not a shadow -- I have several photos. Is that unusual or not? Thanks

Taken on 5-8-2021 in the afternoon on the Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows Riverwalk in Glendale, CA. What is this duck with the white neck?

I should have thought of that. There were plenty of them around. Thanks.

Taken in the late afternoon at the Los Angeles River in Atwater Village, CA. It was in the background of my subject and this is the only photo I have of it. Anyone?

Taken on 5-2-2021 in the late afternoon at the Los Angeles River in Atwater Village, CA. I'm debating between Western Wood-Pewee and Olived-sided Flycatcher.

Taken on 4-29-2021 in the morning at Bear Divide in Angeles National Forest (between Canyon Country and Lake View Terrace, CA). Ongoing migration count and banding station. I was photographing a Lazuli Bunting, and along comes this intruder. Is it identifiable?

Taken on 4-29-2021 in the morning at Bear Divide in Angeles National Forest (between Canyon Country and Lake View Terrace, CA). Ongoing migration count and banding station. The best I can come up with on this one is a female Lazuli Bunting. There were several male LAZB seen that day. The first image is the original photo, just cropped. The second image is upsized to 200% and shadows lightened.

Taken on 4-29-2021 in the morning at Bear Divide in Angeles National Forest (between Canyon Country and Lake View Terrace, CA). Ongoing migration count and banding station. I'm thinking this is female Bullock's or Hooded Oriole.

Yes, I've heard that. Thanks.

No, I don't know that I've ever heard one.

Thanks everyone. That's another new one for me. That makes 7 new species that have been identified from my photos from yesterday -- and I still have several more to ID. I went to a migration counting and banding operation for the first time. It was great to see how that all works. I was amazed at how they could immediately identify the passerines in flight. I have to take pictures, then come home and do research to identify most of them -- even the ones sitting still. If anyone wants to see my partial checklist, its here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86692306 And feel free to let me know if I've mis-identified any with photos (or without photos if you're that good).

Taken on 4-29-2021 in the morning at Bear Divide in Angeles National Forest (between Canyon Country and Lake View Terrace, CA). Ongoing migration count and banding station. I can't tell if this is a Wrentit or a female Bushtit. These are the only two photos I have of it.

Taken on 4-29-2021 in the morning at Bear Divide in Angeles National Forest (between Canyon Country and Lake View Terrace, CA). Ongoing migration count and banding station. I know everyone says you need to see the tail feathers to distinguish female/immature Rufous from an Allen's. So that's what I've got, but I don't know exactly what I'm looking for. My feeling is a Rufous, but I can't say why.

Taken on 4-26-2021 in the late afternoon in a residential backyard in Glendale, CA. This is the first Kingbird I've seen in my backyard. And just when I thought I was getting good at identifying kingbirds, I'm questioning myself about this one. All photos are the same bird.

Taken on 4-26-2021 in the late afternoon in a residential backyard in Glendale, CA. I've never seen this bird before, and it took me a while to come up with Warbling Vireo. Did I get it right?

Taken on 4-26-2021 in the late afternoon in a residential back yard in Glendale, CA. There were several Lesser Goldfinches around my backyard and feeders, but I think this one might be an American Goldfinch.

Taken on 2021-04-25 on the Los Angeles River near Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, Glendale, CA. I'm not good at distinguishing Least from Western without a clear view of the legs. The one with a leg visible has algae on it.

Taken on 4-25-2021 in the afternoon above the LA River near Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, Glendale, CA. I was able to identify some Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Barn Swallows flying in the same area, but not sure if this is a swallow or a swift. The two pics are not necessarily the same bird -- nor same species for that matter.

Gimme that danged fish ya derned tern!

I've got two shots of Redheads. Like others...kind of far off.

Taken on 4-16-2021 at Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas, CA (Los Angeles County). I'd like an ID on the gull in the center in the first photo, and the gull in the second photo. Since they don't appear to be adults, I am uncertain.