sbutk

Probably right.

OK, well, in the interest of full disclosure... We typically don't keep a feeder up in the summer months, so I suppose that right there could account for "scientific bias" in my observations. I haven't seen one anywhere else in the yard during summer, either (e.g. bird bath, tree branches) - although that could just be me.

I think you've probably got the right call with female House Finch, thanks. Have seen plenty of them before, pretty much limited to the winter months, though, so that's probably what threw me for a loop.

Hi, I got this shot of an unfamiliar bird on my feeder this morning (northern NJ). Going through my bird guides and apps, my best guess is a Pine siskin, possibly female. Or, then again, I could be way off. Any thoughts? Thanks, in advance, for any & all contributions. -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… ***

Could be a Coop, I agree. But it's always cool to add a new species, as well. Like you said, we'll see whether any more opinions roll in.

I've blown up the original image and taken a screen shot. As expected, this has killed the resolution; but at least perhaps it might give a better gauge of head-to-body ratio. You may have a point, my mind often jumps to Sharpie when I see an accipiter; maybe Cooper's would be a better fit.

Hi, I got this shot of a migrating raptor above my backyard in northern NJ within the last week. My first thought was it’s a member of the falcon family, but then considering the longish tail, Sharp-shinned hawk also seems to be a possibility. If I recall correctly, though, this bird simply sailed past without the characteristic flap-flap-flap glide. Any thoughts? Thanks, in advance, for any & all contributions. -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… ***

Thanks for the second.

Thanks. I was certainly back-and-forth with that one. That was kindof my suspicion, as well. Lighting sure can play plenty of tricks.

Hi, I did a recent birding trip to the NJ Meadowlands (Richard Dekorte Park, to be exact), and am hoping for help/confirmation on some of my sightings. My best guesses... Photo 1: Blue-gray gnatcatcher, female Photo 2: Yellow warbler Photo 3: Night-heron, juvenile (Black- or Yellow-crowned?) Photo 4: American goldfinch, male non-breeding plummage Photo 5: Same as Photo 1? (It *is* a different individual/sighting, though.) Photo 6: European starling, juvenile Photo 7,8: Possibly same as Photo 4. Bird was hiding in the shadows, and even with considerable photo editing, it's still unclear to me. Thanks, in advance, for any & all contributions. -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… ***

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone! 👍

Thanks. And thanks, again. ...First migrant of the season; First migrant with a new camera. 😁

Hi, Can anyone help ID this hawk that flew into my neighbor’s tree earlier today [northern NJ]? It seemed to be on the smallish side, so that and the time of year lead me to suspect Broadwing. Thoughts? 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… ***

You all can't give this a rest, can you? (A simple matter of semantics) ...Unless I'm mistaken, this forum exists to aid birders of all skill/experience levels. "Correct terminology" could only be assured if the poster knew what he was looking at in the first place, right? And if I did, there really wouldn't be any point in coming here for ID help... right? It's a bird, and I didn't find it in the desert, mountains, or suburbia. I found it by the shore. Hence my title. ...Now I'm aware of the proper ornithological classification. THANK YOU.

Oh, goodness. I'm done here. Goodnight, everyone...