The Bird Nuts

Oh, and one more thing - phoebes pump their tails pretty much constantly. Makes them easy to identify from far away.

Also note the head shape and size, vest size, and color. Phoebes have larger, rounder heads than Eastern Wood-Pewees. Eastern Phoebes are brown on top with a darker head instead of greenish-gray. Pewees have more extensive vests.

Beautiful photo! birdie 🦉 #543: 🟥🟥🟥🟩⬛⬛ https://birdiegame.net/

Thanks so much!

Thank you all! I've sent you a message. 🙂

After months of sketching, drawing, and painting, my first ever calendar is finally finished! The originals are all done in watercolor. I intentionally chose some species that are perhaps not the first that come to mind when one thinks of New England. I painted each of the species in the habitat and season I associate them with. Thanks to everyone who posted encouraging comments. @GracesWarbler @MichaelLong

I think my year list is about 2. jk Didn't go birding much this year, sadly...

Pine Warbler thirded.

birdie 🦢 #540: 🟥🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛ https://birdiegame.net/

Look for feeders that: Are mostly rust resistant metal or composite. Plastic feeders don't last and can be chewed by rodents. Wood can also be chewed by rodents, is hard to clean, and harbors disease. Can be easily cleaned (feeders must be cleaned regularly!) Have plenty of drainage holes and/or a large overhang to keep the seed as dry as possible Allow the birds to get to the last remaining seed (e.g. ports or a tray at the very bottom) Have a combination of mesh, ports, trays, and/or perches to attract a wider variety of birds My favorite feeders that I currently have are the Stokes Select Giant Combo Feeder and the Stokes Select Cobalt Double Chamber Feeder. And if squirrels aren't your friends, baffles are your friends (along with keeping the feeder away from trees, decks, and other things squirrels can climb on and jump from, as Charlie has mentioned).

Why Rough-legged and not Red-tailed? I don't see a broad terminal tail band.

I don't think it's identifiable. But for some reason my first thought was Red-shouldered.

Looks like a domestic chicken. Brown Easter Egger is my guess.

That slim wing shape is pretty unique.

D'oh birdie 🦆 #538: 🟨🟨🟨🟩⬛⬛ https://birdiegame.net/

I learned mostly myself as I already had experience with acrylics, so I don't know of something for beginners. But my favorite watercolorist on YouTube is Steve Mitchell of The Mind of Watercolor. Watching him paint might help you understand how watercolor works and the way it should be layered, etc. He also gives recommendations for supplies. Happy painting!! Watercolors are so much fun!

Note the prominent plain gray area around the neck.

This ^ Distinctive black and white wing pattern on the hawks.

Appears to be a young Reddish Egret.

Yes, it's a young Cedar Waxwing.

I can see the shorter outer tail feathers on this one as @lonestranger pointed out. Looks good for a Coop.

My first impression was Cooper's - it just seems too bulky for a Sharpie. Any other shots?

Solitary Sandpipers have white spots on their backs/wings while Spotted Sandpipers have spots on their bellies but in breeding plumage only. There are also subtle differences in facial pattern and bill color and length. You photographed nonbreeding Spotteds.

From your eBird profile, I assume. 🙂

Note the all-black bill, faint wingbars, sharp contrast between the dark head and white throat, and the lack of an eyering. Gray Flycatchers are a lighter green-gray and have prominent white wing bars, white edges on the wing feathers, white eyerings, and orange mandibles.