Jim Highberger

Thank you all - the eye color is what had me confused to begin with. The Boat-tailed Grackles I have seen here in Texas have had the brown iris. Plus the overall coloring is rather plain compared to subtle striping that female Great-tailed Grackles normally display. The specimen was with Great-tailed Grackles - so I thought perhaps it might be immature, or perhaps Common. Will tag it as Great-tailed. Thank you all!

Attached photos taken on Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston 1-13-21. Specimen was with Great-tailed Grackles but differs from females which generally have subtle striping on the face, slimmer bodies, and longer tail. Is this an immature Great-tailed, Common, or other? Any assistance wouold be appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks - normally I see a white eye ring to identify the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher id. The specimen in photo does have the white outer coloring on the tail as with Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Thank you!

Cleaning out photo files for 2020 - still have the attached open - taken in park area in Nacogdoches, Texas (East Texas). Only got the two attached pics. Thought it might be Mockingbird variant - but no stripes on wings, wings are brownish in color. What am I missing? Any direction on this would be appreciated. Merlin gives limited choices - young thrasher? or immature Great-crested Flycatcher? Thank you!

Not that familiar with west coast species but white outer line on tail feathers (readily apparent on last photo) usually means Western Kingbird here in Texas. But I will defer to the experts.

Thank you all. I can see similarity with House Sparrow - and kept believing a city park was not a common site for Dickcissels so House Sparrow more likely in this case. Thank you!

I have had these photos on file since spotting subject in Eagle Lake, Texas (about 60 miles west of Houston) on July 9 this year. No yellow evident on head, throat or breast that I could see - but dark spot on breast, heavy conical bill, and cinnamon (rusty) area on shoulders have me leaning toward Dickcissel, possibly immature? Or is this something else such as sparrow? As always, thank you for reviewing!

Thank you to all!

Spotted a few sparrows in dense brush and tall grass, near ground, in area where I have been seeing Swamp Sparrows. These have dark and in some cases yellow supralorals, and wing bars that more closely match those of White-throated. Also, hint of white or pale head stripe, Unable to get clear pictures except for one (second photo) that may be an immature? If someone could confirm identification or correct my id's I would be very grateful. As always, thank you for your guidance!

Thank you!

Cleaning out old photo files - I found these from wooded park along Texas Gulf Coast (Quintana) taken April 15, 2019. I kept thinking the first three photos were of molting or immature Indigo Bunting but yellow belly kept me from final conclusion. Last photo from same day and area I believe might be female Indigo Bunting. Can anyone confirm or correct? Thank you!

Thanks to all. Thought it might be Marsh but wanted to be certain.

I believe the bird in attached photos is the same specimen - observed in reeds and cattails at Anahuac Nat'l Wildlife Refuge (SE Texas) on 11-18-20. Tail was consistently upright and appeared short and uneven in most photos (Sedge?) but bold white eyebrow was evident in others (Marsh?). Bird was active and difficult to photograph so please excuse number of attachments. Assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks to all. I noticed narrow shoulders as typical with Coopers but wasn't sure so thought perhaps young Red-shouldered - and concluded I should check with the experts. I appreciate the help!

Spotted on Bolivar Peninsula (Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston) on Nov. 18. Looks like a young hawk - is this Red-shouldered or something else? As always appreciate your expert advise. Thank you!

Got it - thank you for clarification!

Birding on Galveston Island Nov. 2 in wooded park. Spotted the bird in attached photos and initially thought I was seeing Blue-headed Vireo but as I examine photos it lacks white throat and the "spectacles" are not well defined, interrupted on the back side of the eye, etc. Concluding this is a Warbler, probably an Orange-crowned. Am I correct or in error? Thank you for assistance on this!

Thank you to all - I should have looked at Teals more closely on this - did not expect them in such a small pond. Thanks again!

Observed Nov. 3 in Galveston pond. Initially thought these were Gadwalls - then possibly ring necked (but no white stripe around bill). Finally thought I had better consult with the experts. What do you think? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

first bird i believe would be Wilson's Snipe.

Looks like female Rose-breasted Grosbeak - am I correct on sex?

Last three photos might be Northern Harrier. Wing shape - white spot on back above tail - shape/length of tail similar to those of Northern Harriers. My best guess.

looks like Field Sparrow to me as well.

Okay - I am seeing it now. Thank you for the details and identification markers. Sorry about lack of decent photos. Thank you!

Not much to go on with this one - spotted in Houston park on 10-21-20. Darkish sparrow in tall grass and brush - stayed close to ground - no singing. Popped up briefly and I was able to get two quick photos that don't show much other than tan and gray on face and brownish cap - and bold white or tan eye ring. Could this be a Vesper Sparrow? Thanks!