10 replies to this topic

[David Case]

It is time once again for me to consult the ever so helpful bird experts on the forums here at WhatBird. You folks are great so here's a great big thank you in advance! I have been going through my old photos looking for birds that I had not previously identified. Some of these I am virtually certain of (I am learning slowly), others I have no clue. There are a lot so I will do them ten at a time ...

1 Turkey Vulture (Eugene, OR, 2009:09:07 17:47:31) - no head showing but the wings make it clear


2 Spotted Towhee (Delta Ponds, Eugene, OR, 2010:03:19 11:34:07)


3 Song Sparrow? (Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, Eugene, OR, 2010:04:10 13:17:10)


4 California Gull? (Alton Baker Park, Eugene, OR, 2010:05:07 15:50:41) - the bill doesn't show as much red as the books lead me to expect


5 Brewer's Blackbird female? (Alton Baker Park, Eugene, OR, 2010:07:03 13:38:48) - this ID doesn't seem right somehow


6 Some kind of sparrow? (Alton Baker Park, Eugene, OR, 2010:07:03 14:07:08) - it's singing caught my ear while I was shooting something else


7 House Finch female (Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, Eugene, OR, 2010:07:15 08:02:54)


8 Caspian Tern (Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, Eugene, OR, 2010:07:15 09:09:15)


9 American Goldfinch (Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, Eugene, OR, 2010:07:16 07:12:40)


10 Varied Thrush female? (Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, Eugene, OR, 2010:07:18 15:31:13)


Thanks again, folks!

[BarnSwallow]

Not sure on the gull and tern, but the rest look good, except the last is a female red-winged blackbird. The sparrow looks like a song, but not sure about that.

[psweet]

I'd say with the exception of the last one, you got all of them. Both sparrows look like Songs.

[David Case]

Not sure on the gull and tern, but the rest look good, except the last is a female red-winged blackbird. The sparrow looks like a song, but not sure about that.

I'd say with the exception of the last one, you got all of them. Both sparrows look like Songs.

Thanks, both of you. The last shot was backlit so I brought out the shadows in post-processing, When I say the rust-orange color that reminded me of the Varied Thrush and threw me off. Is that a normal color for Redwing Blackbird females or is it an artifact of the under exposure?

[JimBob]

All shots are wonderful!

[David Case]

All shots are wonderful!

You're too kind, but thanks!

[psweet]

I think that color is actually typical for birds with fresh plumage.

[David Case]

I think that color is actually typical for birds with fresh plumage.

Got it. You folks are a veritable fount of information and it really helps in the learning process, so thank you!

[Aberrant]

Regarding the gull, the bill is too bulky and the gray that's showing on the back is too light for California Gull. The bill structure and coloration look good for a third cycle Glaucous-winged Gull, though a full shot of the bird would confirm.

[psweet]

With a second look, you may well be right, Aberrant, although given the location, I'd expect it's more likely that it's one of those hybrid things they get out there.

[Aberrant]

Yeah hybrids outnumber pure birds in that region so it is likely.