lather Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Yesterday I saw two birds that look very similar to a Northern Mockingbird. One was perched on a power line and the other on a high branch of a nearby tree. They were the same size as a Mockingbird and similar in shape and color but slightly plumper in body and the head seemed slightly more elongated with a slightly longer bill. Also the plumage seemed slighyly ruffled whereas Mockingbird plumage is smooth. Mockingbirds are very common in my area and they have a habit of moving around often. These to birds did not move at all for the five or so minutes I watched them. Also they maid only soft chirps wheras Mockingbirds aways seem to be sing a song. I am wondering if these were a species I am not familiar with or if two unusual Mockingbirds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Location? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, lather said: Yesterday I saw two birds that look very similar to a Northern Mockingbird. One was perched on a power line and the other on a high branch of a nearby tree. They were the same size as a Mockingbird and similar in shape and color but slightly plumper in body and the head seemed slightly more elongated with a slightly longer bill. Also the plumage seemed slighyly ruffled whereas Mockingbird plumage is smooth. Mockingbirds are very common in my area and they have a habit of moving around often. These to birds did not move at all for the five or so minutes I watched them. Also they maid only soft chirps wheras Mockingbirds aways seem to be sing a song. I am wondering if these were a species I am not familiar with or if two unusual Mockingbirds. It's common for Mocks to sit on lines for several minutes. It's also common for them to chirp or call without singing, especially when they aren't breeding. And many birds can appear larger or smaller, depending on how they fluff their feathers. In other words, these sound like good ol' everyday regular Northern Mockingbirds. Edited August 11, 2021 by Charlie Spencer 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbvol50 Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Agree with N. Mockingbirds. Remember lots of youngsters around right now so that may account for the scruffy plumage. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Still, any photos might help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 I was going to suggest maybe Loggerhead Shrike, but I don't think the bill would be longer. Probably juvenile Mockingbirds that are looking pretty ratty still. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 (edited) 11 hours ago, chipperatl said: I was going to suggest maybe Loggerhead Shrike, We don't have a location yet, so NOSH would also be a possibility. As you noted, neither would have a longer bill. I would hope that someone paying enough attention to notice a different bill size would also have pointed out the obvious mask on a shrike. Edited August 12, 2021 by Charlie Spencer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lather Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Thanks for the replies. I am convinced now these were Mockingbirds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aveschapines Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 A couple of Gray Silky-Flycatchers just stopped by to demonstrate the effects of breeze on feather appearance... 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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