WetBird

I'd go for American Crow. Can't see any Raven hackles for one thing.

Thanks so much, Tony! You've summed it up concisely and I so appreciate that. I will use your description as a guide going forward. Terry

The feeder is made by the Couronne Co., and I have several. They stack and you can buy replacement dishes--which is great--and it is perfect for live mealworms. They are sold by the recycled glass company (couronneco.com) and their bird feeder wing: mosaic birds.com. I've seen them at Wild Birds Unlimited stores and Amazon.

What about the head shape? It doesn't have nicely rounded head for sure. I've been looking on the web and found this on the Audubon site: On perched birds, consider the shape of the head. The Cooper’s Hawk has a big ol’ dome that's sort of like a block stacked on top of its body. It’s the kind that makes you think, “Wow, look at the head on that thing!” Sharpies, on the other hand, have small, smoothly rounded heads—the kind where you’re like, “Oh, that just looks like a normal bird head.” Gut reaction is helpful It was also larger than a crow. So maybe leaning towards Cooper's is the right direction. Thank you for your assistance. Terry

It is very confusing to me as we have both types around here. I read somewhere that there is a difference in the head shape--this one seems to have a longish head with a flat top. I sure appreciate the input. This bird (and maybe others) have been after my elderberry tree full of warblers. It is fascinating to watch all the little birds at the ends of the branches looking at the hawk. I tried to get the tail, and only got it from the side. Terry

Planting indigenous native plants that attract insects has worked well for me. One of the best is Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia.) A big favorite with the warblers is mealworms. In the winter I used dried mealworms in an open dish. Live mealworms will cost a lot more, but they really like them. I order from Rainbow Mealworms in Los Angeles. The Black Phoebes will catch them if you toss them. I've also put out blueberries and the warblers like them. Another food that works is grape jelly. Be sure it is made with sugar, not corn syrup. The warblers and others love it. These photos are screen captures from my Instagram feed. (TheBirdSpa) Terry

Costa Mesa, California, backyard, today, 11 Jan. I've researched the Cooper's and Sharp-shinned on the web--it was a small hawk--but can't sort this one out. Is it a Sharpie? Any clues would be appreciated. Thanks, Terry

Not many red birds here in Southern California. (Costa Mesa)This one flew from bushy area to the golf course and I only got these two shots.

Southern California, December 2018 Can't find a photo like this one of this little brown bird, pale beak, and orange tail. Listed in Bird of Orange County is the Orange Bishop, which has the same tail. Could this be an immature male or some other species entirely? Thanks in advance--I know you experts will nail this! Terry

Things are starting to move in my area (Costa Mesa/SoCal.) This last week I have seen some of the travelers that just stop for a bath or drink and keep going. I had a Black-throated Gray Warbler yesterday and a Wilson's juvenile today. I'm a fan of the Spotted Towhee. This one still has to grow some head feathers.

Thank you, @psweet! I'm wondering if they are going to leave--I read somewhere that some of the SoCal orioles are sticking around. Terry

Thanks for your help, @akiley. I was a member before the crash and am sad to have lost the great oriole i.d. help I received here once before. Terry

Costa Mesa, California, (Southern California) today, Sep 2, 2018 I.D. photo #1 At least four pair of orioles nested nearby this year. A pair of Bullock's arrived with the spring Hooded Orioles, but I never saw the male or female again so thought they'd moved on. Or wait, maybe I haven't been looking closely enough. Now the the juveniles are pretty far along, I'm seeing what I think are juvenile Bullock's. I'm looking at beak length, tail length, pale or whitish belly and some have what appears to be eye stripe. So here are four orioles. 1. Could this be a juvenile Bullock's? 2. male juvenile Bullock's 3. Female Bullock's, photo from May 2018. A few minutes later she was attacked by a female Hooded Oriole and won the fight. 4. Bullock's juvenile