Dan P

It's a Honeybird -- he's collecting pollen.

Can you spot the oddball?

Well, I was seeing (imagining) the white as on the upper side (rump). I will go with Accipiter species. Thanks both of you for your comments.

The bird in flight was taken 1-2-2021 in late afternoon above the Los Angeles River in Atwater Village, CA. The white rump makes me think Northern Harrier, but under-wing pattern and streaking on the breast seem more representative of a Red-shouldered Hawk -- although a Northern Harrier has similar patterning. The bird in the tree was taken 1-3-2021 in the afternoon at Hansen Dam, Los Angeles, CA. I believe this is a Red-shouldered Hawk, but wish I could see the tail pattern.

My first impression was an Ibis, but was willing to accept the opinion of those who saw a Sandhill Crane. But after looking at photos of both White-Faced Ibis and Sandhill Crane in flight, I would say it is difficult to identify but I would lean toward White-Faced Ibis based on overall structure. The length and posture of the neck looks more like an Ibis. The shape of the wings does not seem quite right for either Ibis or Crane. The tail looks more like the Crane. The iridescence of the Ibis plumage better explains the reflection on the wings, and the color on the neck looks better for Ibis. The bill looks short, but it seems to have the curvature of an Ibis at the base. Here is a good photo to compare from Flicker:

Taken 1-3-2021 at Hansen Dam, Los Angeles, CA. 1) I think this is an American Wigeon 2) Redhead or Canvasback? (my first either way) 3) Not sure 4) Teal or Northern Shoveler? There were lots of Northern Shovelers, but I'm not sure I saw any Teals.

Taken 1-3-2021 at Hansen Dam, Los Angeles, CA. Are both of these birds Cooper's Hawks?

Taken 1-3-2020 at Hansen Dam, Los Angeles, CA. Aside from the Northern Shovelers in the foregound of the first photo, are all the others Ruddy Ducks?

Taken 1-3-2021 at Hansen Dam, Los Angeles, CA. I think this is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, but want to make sure its not a California Gnatcatcher.

My first bird of 2021 was a feral Rock Pigeon. I have 40 species so far, with an additional 11 that I haven't identified yet (including 4 ducks and 3 gulls).

My first bird of 2021 was a feral Rock Pigeon. I have 40 species so far, with an additional 11 that I haven't identified yet (including 4 ducks and 3 gulls).

Thanks you guys. Blue-winged Teal is another new one for me. As far as I know. I'm not very good with female ducks. They're all Mallards to me.

Northern Pintail is another first for me. Also, I had this bird in a shot from 13 minutes earlier. I may have overlooked it thinking it was a female Mallard. Is this also a Northern Pintail?

On eBird bar charts, the only Kinglet observed in this area is Ruby-crowned. Thanks all.

Taken 12-25-2020 in the afternoon on the Los Angeles River at Sepulveda Basin in Van Nuys, CA. What is the duck in the foreground?

Taken on 01-01-2021 at Los Angeles River, north of Sunnynook Foot Bridge, Atwater Village, CA. Any thoughts?

I just posted that one Vesper Sparrow to eBird. I had created an eBird account a few weeks ago and posted one short checklist as a test. So this is my second posting. Thanks.

Actually, I found a more precise location on eBird charts: Los Angeles River - Sepulveda Basin It shows a low frequency of Vesper Sparrows in Sept/Oct, and the last week of Feb. No observations in Nov/Dec/Jan. This bird was photographed on the bank of Haskell Creek, right at the confluence with the Los Angeles River.

The eBird bar charts for this area shows a low frequency of observations throughout the fall, but no observations after the 2nd week of December.

Thanks everyone. My first Vesper!

Here is another shot of #10 -- the Vesper?

Only one other frame of #11, but it is essentially identical. I realized I needed to go to manual focus to get through the twigs, but by the time I did, the bird took off.

Taken 12-25-2020 in the afternoon near Haskell Creek in the Sepulveda Basin, Van Nuys, CA. I hardly ever get sparrows at my house -- only an occasional White-crowned. And the places I normally go, if I see any its only two or three. But on Christmas day I found where all the sparrows hang out. I may have seen 50 to 100. Of the attached photos, I believe they are all Savannah, except for the 3rd one a Song, and the last one (no. 11) I have no idea. But some of those that I've identified as Savannah may actually be Song. Comments please.