bobolink2014

Peromyscus. Yes I saw this gull Wednesday, the day I posted the inquiry. I need to upload it to ebird. To think, I almost didn't bring my camera for the stroll. And not to try and actively endorse products, but my shoulder was sore and the only thing that had me bring the camera was the convenience of the camera belt clip.

Wow, it's nice to come upon a lifer randomly rather than chasing it down! Thanks!

Would this be a Heermann's Gull? From Virginia Beach. I am usually birding at New Jersey beaches, so I am not expecting a West Coast gull at an East Coast beach. Would be a lifer if it is. And glad I had my camera for this walk.

Yes Song Sparrow. I don't typically go searching utility lines for Song Sparrows to know the frequency of occurance. However, last year and this year a Song Sparrow has done his singing on our street's utility line. Which it's amazing at how you fast I take it for granted to wait for the perfect day for the perfect picture of the Song Sparrow, and then before you know it, they move on!

This Scrub-Jay shot was taken in Reno area in June. Is this the overlap range, where you can't really tell the difference between California and Woodhouse's by sight? If you can ID it between the two, please respond. Thank You

These 2 pictures take from Verdi NV (West of Reno on CA border) in June. I would have thought for an American Goldfinch the wingbars would be more pronounced even on immature. But I am not so familiar with Lesser Goldfinch. That is why I'm stuck between a female/immature American Goldfinch or Lesser. Could they hybridize and I should leave this ID alone? Thanks

You expressed my approach, and said much better. Nice photo bringing out the color for what must of been a hard shot with a bright background

Thank you for taking the time to point out the Ross's. At the time, I guess I didn't notice the distinction. But going through the pictures helped me discern two species here. And for me when getting a lifer I now have a good baseline at what I'm looking for. (I have been too optimistic with other species to find out it really wasn't a lifer, like I'm still trying to find that Purple Finch) And appreciate the head size in flight comment. At least these guys have other distinguishing features. Canada and Cackling, I think that is only size and looking for the stubby bill . Thanks again.

I noticed I missed logging some pictures in a December 2017 trip to Sequoyah NWR in southeast OK. Where I am, flocks of Geese are certainly snow. But looking at some pictures I think I see a Ross and would like a confirm. Not great pictures but hopefully good enough for an ID. #1 is the bill. #2 is a flock which has at least one blue morph (that looks like Snow in foreground) , but behind it looks like Ross's. And a few Snow. #3 is a picture of Geese in flight. more of a question, can you tell the difference between Snow and Ross in flight or just, White Morph vs Blue Morph Thank you for the help and confirming what maybe a retro lifer for me, which is just as exciting as a 2021 lifer.

Thank you very much for the confirmation

On a nice birding day in NJ with 2 new lifers: Bay-breasted Warbler and Black-billed Cuckoo. I came across this Thrush. I have trouble distinguishing between a Veery and a Swainson's Thrush. I may have only seen 1 of these or both. Don't know, the looks were never good and the pictures were always bad. I'm hoping now these pictures make for a conclusive ID. I'm leaning toward Veery from what I've seen to be it has less chest spotting compared to the Swainson's. As far as characteristics, he wasn't in a hurry to get away from me. Just wandered slowly and moved from shady branch to shady branch. All 7 images of same bird. Thursh Confirm - 1.JPG (whatbird.com) Thursh Confirm - 2.JPG (whatbird.com) Thursh Confirm - 3.JPG (whatbird.com) Thursh Confirm - 4.JPG (whatbird.com) Thursh Confirm - 5.JPG (whatbird.com) Thursh Confirm - 6.JPG (whatbird.com) Thursh Confirm - 7.JPG (whatbird.com) Thank you for your help.

Thanks for the links. Without the first link I would continue to define birds wrong. That was great. With the second link I can try and improve my ID skills between first and second cycle for a GBBG.