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Hi. I visited the US about this time a year ago and I've finally got round to identifying some of the birds I saw. One or two of them are proving problematic, as I've only got internet records to go on and no good field guide. I'm based in Scotland, and my local library isn't good on foreign field guides.

I've attached some photos, (I think).

 Bird 1 (file n-m-bird1.jpg) was photographed in the Dinosaur National Park in Arizona in mid-December.The habitat is arid, borderline to desert. The bird appeared to be alone. I've got this tentatively identified as a cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus), but I'd appreciate it if someone could check this for me! 

The second species (file n-m-bird02) was seen in an arid habitat about 20 miles south-west of Gallup in New Mexico, a couple of miles from the Zuni Pueblo. They were in a small flock of around 7 or 8 individuals. They were feeding on seeds at the time.

Red-tailed-hawk.jpg was a species I initially tagged as, obviously, a red-tailed hawk, but I'm now coming down on the side of a ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis). This was seen on the boundary between semi(?)-natural arid coniferous forest and semi-arid agricultural land near Ramah, new Mexico, pretty much this time last year. Any thoughts?

 unknownbird-nm.jpg was seen in mixed semi-arid woodland below El Morro National Monument between Zuni and Grants in New Mexico, in early January. It was alone. I'm wondering if it's a thrasher, but don't know what species.

sparrow.jpg was seen outside the visitor centre at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, also in early January. It was feeding on small fallen seeds and appeared to be alone. Any idea what species?

 Very many thanks.

 Cheers

 Niall

Hmm. It looks like I can only post one photo at a time. OK

 n-m-bird1.jpg

nm-bird-02

The hawk...

and the maybe-a-thrasher...

 

In the order they appear here (different from order in the description in the posting):

No. 1 is a beautiful photo of a canyon towhee.

No. 2 looks like a rock wren.

No. 3 I've got to think about...

No. 4 looks like a juvenile red-tailed hawk (note the prominent belly band).

No. 5 is a good old American robin. 

In the picture of the two birds, the bird at the lower left is a female hooded oriole. The other one still has me stumped.

Thanks snowyowl. I'd never have got these from the images I've got access to. very grateful! cheers Niall

Isn't the higher one a Pine Siskin?

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Good Luck Birding
Josh

You tell me, Josh. :) There was scrubby juniper around.

I think the 2nd photo looks more like a Bewick's Wren?

Tim H.

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It is a Rock Wren not a Bewick's Wren

I agree with myself, the higher bird is a Pine Siskin.

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Good Luck Birding
Josh

I too think the higher bird is a Pine Siskin.

Tim H.

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I think I'll let you guys argue it out and accept your conclusions.

Are pine siskins and hooded orioles known to form mixed flocks? We see this behaviour among the tits and finches (which have similar feeding habits) over here, so I wouldn't be surprised, but my first impression was males and females of the same species - although I could well be wrong.

Yes, pine siskin is a very good bet for the last bird.  The angle in the photo is not ideal, but the beak, general body shape and size, and streaking certainly are consistent with pine siskin.  I was befuddled by the very brown face, which is usually not as pronounced or as solid a color as in this picture, but ces't la vie - sometimes things aren't 100% typical. In any event, I don't have a better idea.

Siskins typically hang around with finches, and they often visit feeders together - especially feeders with thistle seeds.  The fact that two different species happened to be near each other and even on the same plant at the same time in this instance is really just coincidental, and not particularly unusual.

 

Incidentally, the wren is clearly not a Bewick's wren.  Bewick's is darker, red-brown, with more contrast, and has a very distinctive prominent white supercilium. The wren pictured has the drabber coloration and appearance of the rock wren.  It's even on a rock!!