What Bird Is This?

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This group's goal is to have participants that will help its members identify an unknown bird. If you're not sure what bird has visited you, please list it here. I'm sure someone can help. :)

Members: 184
Latest Activity: 11 hours ago

Discussion Forum

Solitary Sandpiper? 1 Reply

i saw this in early may and am wondering what it is. I saw it in the swamps of my home in Minnesota. it looks like a solitary sandpiper, but i don't know if it would be in my area.…Continue

Started by Zoe Mack. Last reply by Larry Meade 11 hours ago.

ID Help 3 Replies

Thought I had these figured out, now I am not so sure. I am in Virginia. Thank you!…Continue

Started by Robin H. Last reply by Da Lo yesterday.

More ID help 4 Replies

These two pix were taken 5/12 in eastern Kansas. As usual any ID help will be appreciated.JanContinue

Started by Jan Kerr. Last reply by Jan Kerr yesterday.

ID Help 2 Replies

I thought I posted this to this group yesterday but I guess I didn't do it correctly. I'm trying again.The attached pictures were taken in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Any ID help would be…Continue

Started by Jan Kerr. Last reply by Jan Kerr yesterday.

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Comment by Da Lo yesterday: Vernonica: Outstanding! I just new as I typed it in, someone on WLBs would pop up and say "I know there!". :)

Comment by Jenn on Thursday: :D Thanks for all the help, all. I think Northern takes it. I went back yesterday looking for any sign of this (or other) waterthrushes... no luck. :/ But I am so thrilled to be able to add this one to my life list.

Now, what I did come across were a couple hawks in a tree. And while one is definitely identifiable, the other has me scratching my head (even though I thought I had a sure and easy ID as I was taking the photos), but since there are a few pictures to upload, I'll start a discussion on it a bit later.

Thanks again! :)

Comment by Veronica Knapp on Thursday: Da Lo, Sure looks like a Lorthern to me!! Nice catch!

BTW I was born and raised til the age of almost 6 in The Walkill NY area. I still visit the Walkill River were ever I can find it meandering to in NY & NJ, love it!

Comment by Da Lo on Thursday: My Audubon Handbook states...

"Louisianna Waterthrush has pure white eyestripe that curves up behind the eye. The Northern Waterthrush has a yellowish eyebrow that tapers just behind the eye."

As you can see, this picture has a yellow eyebrow that curves up, so that makes it a Lorthern or perhaps a Nouisianna Waterthrush?

Comment by Da Lo on Thursday: I've only seen a Waterthrush twice. Once at a rest area in Wallkill NY State the other in Clearwater Florida on April 24th (2009). This one (Florida) was by a small, shady stream.

Comment by Katie Boord on Thursday: I just realized that I got the ID reversed--it's actually the Northern Waterthrush that has the buffy wash. :) oops. So I guess I'll say Northern, too.

Comment by Victor Austin on Thursday: I agree to a very late Northern Waterthrush.

Comment by Larry Meade on Wednesday: I would say that this is a late migrant Northern Waterthrush based on the streaks on the throat and the timing. LA Waterthrushes have been on their territories for a while now and it seems unlikely that one would be migrating this late in the season. Neither one breeds in your area.

Comment by Veronica Knapp on Wednesday: I feel the same, the range maps did not help for a good ID for this bird. I hope you hear the song, you will know for sure! Have fun!

Comment by Jenn on Wednesday: I actually do not know the answer to that, Veronica. I have less and less faith in my range maps every month though. :D I have come to use them as suggestions depending upon the bird in question. This is one that I am getting no help from with the range maps though... one source puts neither anywhere near FL, one put NOWA nowhere near my area of FL and LOWA in migration, only, and two other sources tell me NOWA is a winter resident, but of those, one says I have migrating LOWA only and the other says I have none (although in that other's defense, I don't think it includes migration data). Now, I know that range maps are approximations, and the birds go where they please, and the data can change regularly, but for now I guess I will go on the idea that this one is a late migrant. :)

I never heard the song; only a chirp (alerting me to its presence), but I think I shall go back today and look and listen for this little one again. I will let you all know what happens. :)