Some had brown heads, some had black...
They look like they are mid-molt and I have no idea what bird ...
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide to ID these strange looking birds.
6 replies to this topic
#1
sgmfla
-
- New Members
-
- 275 posts
sgmfla
- LocationPalm Beach Gardens, FL
Posted 20 August 2012 - 07:56 AM
Saw these birds in South Florida, Palm Beach County Agricultural fields on Sat 8/18 mid-day.
Some had brown heads, some had black...
They look like they are mid-molt and I have no idea what bird ...
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide to ID these strange looking birds.
Some had brown heads, some had black...
They look like they are mid-molt and I have no idea what bird ...
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide to ID these strange looking birds.
#2
creeker
-
- New Members
-
- 7207 posts
creeker
- LocationSan Diego County
Posted 20 August 2012 - 09:19 AM
Those are European Starlings.
Creationist Birder
#3
Parula
-
- New Members
-
- 1736 posts
Virginia eBirder
Posted 20 August 2012 - 10:28 AM
agreed
Yard list 132
Bird lifers 252
Latest- Gray-cheeked Thrush, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Red-necked Phalarope, Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler
Butterfly lifers- 55
Latest- Juvenal's Duskywing, Spring Azure, Mourning Cloak, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Falcate Orangetip
Dragonfly and damselflies lifers- 12
Latest- Black Saddleback, Carolina Saddleback, Green Darner, Familiar Bluet, and Violet Dancer
2013 Va big year 178
Recent- Gray-cheeked Thrush
Year list- 212
Bird lifers 252
Latest- Gray-cheeked Thrush, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Red-necked Phalarope, Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler
Butterfly lifers- 55
Latest- Juvenal's Duskywing, Spring Azure, Mourning Cloak, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Falcate Orangetip
Dragonfly and damselflies lifers- 12
Latest- Black Saddleback, Carolina Saddleback, Green Darner, Familiar Bluet, and Violet Dancer
2013 Va big year 178
Recent- Gray-cheeked Thrush
Year list- 212
#4
spyonabird
-
- New Members
-
- 743 posts
spyonabird
- LocationNorth Carolina
Posted 20 August 2012 - 12:06 PM
It always strikes me how pretty they are. Too bad they are such an invasive nuisance.
Denise
"There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud."
Carl Sandburg
"There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud."
Carl Sandburg
#5
sgmfla
-
- New Members
-
- 275 posts
sgmfla
- LocationPalm Beach Gardens, FL
Posted 20 August 2012 - 03:25 PM
Thanks for the id... I thought European Starlings, but the brown head and black beak/bill threw me a curve...
Do their beak colors change when they molt??
Do their beak colors change when they molt??
#6
TheBillyPilgrim
-
- New Members
-
- 6752 posts
Frank
- LocationGreat Basin, NV
Posted 20 August 2012 - 03:31 PM
Thanks for the id... I thought European Starlings, but the brown head and black beak/bill threw me a curve...
Do their beak colors change when they molt??
Yes, with these guys they do change from bright Yellow in breeding to dull in non-breeding. Your birds are actually juveniles molting into their first winter plumage. Starlings are kind of bizarre in that they only molt once a year (in the fall) and their brightly colored "breeding" plumage is actually the result of the tips of their duller "winter" plumage wearing away to reveal the glossy color underneath.
Life List: 560
Latest birds: Purple Sandpiper, Ross's Goose, White-winged Crossbill,
2013: 362 species
My Flickr
eBird
Costa Rica Trip Report: http://www.whatbird....rt/#entry396425
Latest birds: Purple Sandpiper, Ross's Goose, White-winged Crossbill,
2013: 362 species
My Flickr
eBird
Costa Rica Trip Report: http://www.whatbird....rt/#entry396425
#7
sgmfla
-
- New Members
-
- 275 posts
sgmfla
- LocationPalm Beach Gardens, FL
Posted 20 August 2012 - 03:34 PM
Yes, with these guys they do change from bright Yellow in breeding to dull in non-breeding. Your birds are actually juveniles molting into their first winter plumage. Starlings are kind of bizarre in that they only molt once a year (in the fall) and their brightly colored "breeding" plumage is actually the result of the tips of their duller "winter" plumage wearing away to reveal the glossy color underneath.
All of the European Starlings I have seen before had yellow beak/bills and black heads.
Thanks for the explanation... very helpful, indeed!!
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
