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Hey Kevin, can you fix your Texas coast album? I'm kindof interested as I'm considering a future trip, but Google says the link is broken. 🙁

Haha. Trick photography. I think mine was either on an evergreen branch directly behind the birdbath, or in the act of jumping down. Birds can be good for entertainment value, that's for sure! 👍

OK, looks like one of my guesses would've been correct. Thanks, everyone!

Hi, Saw this bird out in the yard today that I’m not recognizing as one I’ve seen before. My first thought was perhaps a female House Sparrow, but the pale stripe above the eye doesn’t seem to be a match. Also thought perhaps Chipping Sparrow, owing to the redish crown, but that doesn’t look quite right either. Can anyone help me out? Thanks! -Steve ***Wherever you are in the world, I wish my fellow birders (and EVERYONE) continued health and safety in this present time of uncertainty. Be well… ***

Good points. Thanks!

Thanks again to everyone for all your input... I was recently out in the same setting and photographed more birds. I have a feeling this is a different species, though. Chimney swifts, perhaps?

Haha, no biggie. As for "good with humans"... I'm sure most birders know chickadees will eat out of your hand. Well, earlier this summer I was able to add juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird to that list... This guy/gal actually followed each of us around the yard for a week, like a pet. Considering the species is raised by foster parents, I wouldn't be surprised if this [apparently abandoned] bird decided "Ohhh, YOU'RE feeding me? ...Maybe YOU'RE my mommy." Haha. Happy birding! 😀

EK was my first impression as well. That'd sit really well with me, too, since I've only ever seen 1 before [same position, perched directly overhead]. And it'd be a +1 for my Yard List. I'll wait and see if some others join the discussion. Thanks for your input! 👍

Somewhat challenging photo angle here. I watched this bird fly in and land in a branch directly overhead. Only sat still long enough for me to grab this one shot. Can anyone tell what it is? I’m hoping it turns out to be something more interesting than my run-of-the-mill dime-a-dozen bluejay. Thanks! ***Wherever you are in the world, I wish my fellow birders (and EVERYONE) continued health and safety in this present time of uncertainty. Be well… ***

This bird photographed this morning in DeKorte Park (NJ Meadowlands region) is unmistakably one of the Yellowlegs species. Yet I’ve been torn back and forth as to which one. Have consulted my Audubon app, as well as a few websites. I know one of the most prominent clues to look for is beak length relative to head size, but I’ve read that there can be variations and subtle differrences between individuals, making that alone a sometimes dubious metric. Also I know GYL has a *slightly* upturned bill …yet I know that too is subtle, and so I’m not really sure if the bird in my shots does or not. Can anybody help me out? Or even suggest other field marks to look for, that might sway me in one direction or the other? Thanks! ***Wherever you are in the world, I wish my fellow birders (and EVERYONE) continued health and safety in this present time of uncertainty. Be well… ***

Thanks, I appreciate the reasoning. Leaning a little more in this direction now. ...Just means I'll have to work on getting some better quality photos, to convince myself the rest of the way!

Hmm, I'm not so sure. I've seen plenty of Barn Swallows up close before, and the blue & orange bodies seem to be missing here. Possibly; I'm not familiar with those at all. ...Think I'll wait for some more birders to hopefully chirp - I mean "chime" - in.

I originally thought these fast-flying birds buzzing my treetops the other evening were some kind of Swift; but upon closer examination of my photos, I noticed the forked tail. After perusing other possible matches on my Audubon app, I’m currently leaning toward Bank Swallow. Can anyone support this conclusion or offer other suggestions? Thanks! …Oh, and I’m in northern NJ. ***Wherever you are in the world, I wish my fellow birders (and EVERYONE) continued health and safety in this present time of uncertainty. Be well… ***

Thanks, as well. I hadn't scrolled all the way up to see your post until just now.

Thank you both. I'm still fuzzy on the scenario, myself, but I suppose that's a plausible theory!