Whatbird.com

I'm asking really informal questions but please don't read into it at all. I haven't been an active member for several months. When I returned to the forums recently I noticed a steep decline in participation from users on Whatbird. My questions are: Are existing and new users on the forums receiving adequate help with ...

Oh. I thought you were new to Irvine (duh). LOL. I look for them mid morning in mixed flocks with European Starlings now, then in a month they form larger flocks. I listened to recordings of starlings and cedars to learn the difference. I really helps when you see/hear them flying overhead. We are starting to loose ...

Yes for the Black-capped Chickadees. Mallards can show eclipse plumage that's paler with a rusty wash over the chest but since I'm not an expert wait for someone else to help you. I just noticed nobody was helping you ID the chickadees and I know these are.

Based on the size of the citrus bloom it is sipping nectar from, the species ranges for fall/winter, and the field marks I can see, my guess would be your photo is of an immature Anna's Hummingbird.

Curlybird: Nice list!  My office is also located in an area that has a nice selection of birds; some of the songbirds are behind my office building and others are within walking distance at a bike trail-riverbed.  I think it's because my office is fairly close to a wildlife sanctuary and a couple of regional parks.  And with all ...

It would be very uncommon to be seen this time of year in Illinois, but nonetheless take a look at the Grasshopper Sparrow. Here's a link to the Cornell Lab with the sound file: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Grasshopper_Sparrow/id

You can send an email to an ornithologist and ask your question if you do not receive an answer here: http://www.ornithology.com/.  

Wow, I'm jealous. Great shot and whatabird to add to your backyard list.

And interestingly enough I consulted my American Bird Conservancy guide and the Immature Merlin has darker plumage, similar to the one I spotted this evening near my home. It seemed like a really dark plumed and fat bird for a Kestrel, now I know why.

Was the wing position dihedral or flat? Did the bird flap its wings at all? Was the bird alone or in a group? Was it soaring upward occasionally tilting the wings back and forth with little head movement, or was it circling and perusing the ground below? Sometimes without benefit of clear identifying marks the behavior can at least ...