lonesome55dove

I for one and a few others did not say it was a ''bad idea''' I believe we stated, ''that it was not for us''...some of us have been birding for 30-50+ years so we already have an abundance of reference/field guides. Plus most people these days have cell phones that can provide internet access making it super easy to look things up in a few seconds. ?

Pygmy Nuthatch. ?

My vote is for a Hairy too. ?

Northern Shrike. ?

I think it is a Western...based on bill color and the hint of a possible wing-bar. Please wait for more input as I'm not an expert on Tanager identifications. ?

Well, I know where STL is so I have a good idea of where you're located. Always happy to meet a fellow Missourian. ?

Hi...Thank you for your help. No, I live in Washington but I was born and raised in Northern Missouri in a little ''one-horse, two dog town'' called Sheridan. I was visiting my parents in Independence when I took the photos. ?

Thank you. ?

NOV 2012 ~ Independence, MO Thank you for your help. ?

OK, thank you. ?

Taken NOV 2012 ~ Independence, MO I have this bird marked as a Carolina Chickadee but I would greatly appreciate a confirmation...thank you. ?

Lazuli Bunting. ?

That works!

Oh, it's OK...just post one with a K and we'll ignore the Grebe. ?

Nice photo. K should be the next letter though. ?

Jamaican Woodpecker [photo credit: Wikipedia/Charles J Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography]

I had to look up the term Luddite [**see below]...yep, that would be me, especially since I'm 70+% English. I do not own a Smart cell phone or even a Stupid one...I have a telephone sitting on a table in my living room and one hanging on the wall in my kitchen...no joke! I hear this all the time, ''I tried to call you but no answer'' ...''yeah, well I wasn't home'' ...''you need a cell phone'' ...''um, no I don't...I have an answering machine, leave a message, I'll get back to you'' ...''well, I don't talk to answering machines'' ...''well, I don't walk around with a phone in my hand so good luck trying to talk to me.'' **LUDDITE:[per Wikipedia] The word Luddite is generally used as a derogatory term applied to people showing technophobic leanings. The name is based on the historical legacy of the English Luddites, who were active between 1811 and 1816. As for the new-fangled book...Would I buy it? No. I do not carry a guide in the field...usually, all I take is a camera, binoculars and maybe, if I remember to grab them a pen and notepad. For me it doesn't sound like a '' user-friendly'' book...small, thin pages with small print. I've been birding since I was old enough to say, ''birdie''...so about 60+ yrs. As you can most-likely imagine given my age, the old eyes are not the best even with bifocals and fumble-fingeritis has set in...plus I already own a slew of bird books so this book won't be on my wish list. And, I've never been one to fall for everything that comes down the pike as some folks do...darn Luddite DNA! ?

It looks like an Evening Grosbeak to me...with some issues. ?

You are welcome! ?

I agree...Downy...no shoulder spur, sharp-pointed bill that is shorter than the length of its head. ?

Yup, a Pine Siskin...nice capture! ?

OK, however, a female Varied Thrush would not be a bright orange but more of a pale-muted orange. Another thing to take into consideration is that in the field birds often look smaller/larger than they really are especially if they are on the ground. The ''necklace'' you described seems more like a breast-band so here are a few more suggestions...Killdeer, Horned Lark, Semipalmated Plover and this one is probably a stretch...Northern Lapwing. ?

Cassin's Finch. ?

Could it be a Varied Thrush? ?

Golden-crowned Sparrow. ?