Jim Highberger

In area where flycatchers, phoebes, and wood-pewees were sight. Thought it was wood-pewee (Western possibly) but am not seeing wingbars on this bird - it was definitely dark in color but breast is not black and belly not white enough to be Black Phoebe, There is orangish area on lower mandible like with Wood-Pewee but, again, no readily visible wingbars. Basically not sure what I am looking at unless juvenile or immature. Photos attached. Any tip or identification would be appreciated. Thank you,

Thank you. Also spotted paler versions - suspecting these may be juvenile Vermilions? Can you confirm? Note: there were mature Vermilions in same area. Thank you!

Photos attached of small flycatcher sighted near Rio Grande River in Big Bend. Yellowish underneath and orangish-brown outer wing feathers (like with Great Crested, Ash-throated, etc. - tail feathers too short for these). May be immature flycatcher of some sort? Any pointers for identification would be appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks - the "age" factor made this a tough call for me. I appreciate the feedback and help!

Attached are photos of sparrow sighted in Big Bend Nat'l Park (Chisos Basin area) on Sept. 10 at about 5,400 ft elevation. Striping on breast / belly narrows possibilities in this area - eBird says Savannah, Song (I did not see dark spot or "button" on chest), and Chipping (immature) but others exist or pass through park at various elevations. Appears yellowish tint on belly in some photos. Any ideas or conclusions on this? As always I appreciate the insights of the experts. Thank you!

Thanks Liam - just got back from being off the grid - appreciate your response!

Spotted Flycatcher - mid-afternoon in Ozona (Sutton County) park - photos attached. eBird lists options for Sutton County and surrounding area as Thrails, Alder, Willow, Olive-sided, Acadian and Least among others. Size of head seemed large. Yellow wash on belly. One photo appears to show bold eye ring as with Least but my initial thought was Acadian. Any suggestions, tips or identification would be appreciated. Thank You!

Thanks - I meant to say I thought they were Red-shouldered. Pics are not all of same bird - was in wooded area and came out twice and spotted hawks overhead. Suspected they were something other than Red-shouldered so appreciate the analysis. Thank you!

Initially thought this might be Red-tailed Hawk but striping on breast, length of tail, face, and wingtip feathers have me questioning if this is correct. There were three of these circling overhead yesterday at large park in Houston. I am wondering if these could be Broad-winged or maybe Cooper's. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Checked with eBird - they say Laughing Gull

Thanks to all - had not thought of Franklins but looking at info on line I now can see how this is a fit. Or perhaps a Franklins / Laughing hybrid. Franklins are listed as rare for June along upper Texas and West Louisiana coast. Thank you.

I have these old photos on file from June 2020 - never have been able to confidently identify. Thought it might be first year or second year Laughing Gull but tail is all white. Also, wing patterns seem different from what would be expected on Laughing Gull. Any ideas on this? Thank you!

Thanks to all. To "Seanbirds" - I am not from Colorado Springs but visited there for a couple days in July. Went birding at Kettle Lakes which is near Air Force Academy - great birding spot in my opinion.

Very few markings on this bird = wonder if it is immature possibly. Size of sparrow and in area where Vesper Sparrows were present - this bird appears to have white outline on tail feathers and some facial markings similar to Vespers - otherwise I can't see any markings that would identify this specimen, at least for an amateur like me. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

Wouldn't a Least have a more prominent eye ring?

Thank you all - I can see it now. Thank you for explanations and assistance on this. This is a first (lifer) for me so really appreciate your review and help!

Photos attached of Flycatcher taken in NW Wyoming (Tetons) 7-15-21. Behaved like typical flycatcher or pewee perching on limbs, swooping to catch insects and landing back on branches. No major visible eye-ring, slightly notched tail, sloped head in a couple photos, whitish in neck areas when head turned. Initially thought it might be Willow but tail not straight and square. Possibly Hammond's or Dusky? Maybe age of bird affects eye ring, etc.? Any assistance or guidance would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Thank you all - the juveniles and immatures are tough to id so really appreciate your help!

I observed several sparrow like birds in the Wyoming Tetons from July 9-17 and finally concluded they were probably Lincoln's Sparrows. The more I look at photos the less certain I become. One posting on eBird was tagged as unconfirmed. Being from Texas Gulf Coast area I am not familiar with birds of NW Wyoming. Photos attached. Second photo with pair may be Song Sparrows? Any help in confirming identification would be appreciated. Thank you! Jim

Thank you all. That is a variation of the Orange-crowned that I had not seen previously. Thank you!

I've been looking at these photos for three months so now asking for help from the experts. Photos taken at Quintana (Brazoria County) at area where many migrating species land after crossing Gulf. Some appear disheveled after long journey. There was speculation among fellow birders as to identification - best guess was Orange-crowned but this bird was brighter yellow underneath than typical OCW's in area this time of year, and bend or edge of folded wing on this specimen is more yellow than the white we typically see with Orange-crowned. although sunny day lighting may have had impact (also Orange-crowned winter here and look different from one in photos). Some observers thought it might be immature or female Canada. There is obvious streaking although pale on breast and yellowish eye-ring. Any directives or opinions would be appreciated. Thank you!

Wow - and thanks to all for the information and analysis. The length of tail I thought was a deciding factor of Cooper's vs. immature Red-shouldered but the details y'all provided really help a relative newcomer like me. And the comparisons noted vs. Sharp-shinned great information to keep on file. Really appreciate your inputs and this forum Thank you!

Gray overcast rainy at time of observation so photo quality not good. First heard the hawk - sounded similar to Cooper's Hawk recording on eBird. Small in size (too large for Sharp-shinned I believe) and with longish tail. Brownish compared to mature Cooper's. Initially concluded it was an immature Cooper's but a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks had chicks this year so wondering if it might be immature Red-shouldered Hawk? Guidance and analysis as always would be appreciated. Thank you!

Thank you all - really appreciate the help!