Birderbf's Photo Quiz

[birderbf]

Well my schedule has opened up for the summer, so now I'll have time to moderate my own quiz. Unfortunately I have very few tricky shots from the past, so now I'll have to watch my memory card carefully for bad shots.

But still, I do have bird pictures that aren't completely obvious to anyone's eyes. So far I have about twenty that would be worth posting - all are from the United States or Canada, since my digital SLR hasn't left the continent yet.

Here's number one!

[tim.birdboy]

Swamp Sparrow? (I might be able to get these, if they are North American ;-))

[birderbf]

Ah, the first guesser! As you are the first I will give you a hint.

It is not a Swamp Sparrow ;).

[tim.birdboy]

Oh, drat. :-D Okay, can I guess again? I guess so:

American Tree Sparrow?

Wow, 40th page, Ovenbird, and now the first guesser! Wow!

[birderbf]

Oh, drat. :-D Okay, can I guess again? I guess so:

American Tree Sparrow?

Wow, 40th page, Ovenbird, and now the first guesser! Wow!

:eek!: Amazing! BUT you're still not right. Anyone else going to give it a shot??

[wee kayso]

Rufous crowned sparrow,

[jocateme]

If none of the above, maybe Chipping Sparrow?

[birderbf]

Rufous crowned sparrow,
Nope!
If none of the above, maybe Chipping Sparrow?
Nope!

[Accipiter91]

savahnna sparrow (ok I know I probably butchered savahnna!)

[birderbf]

savahnna sparrow (ok I know I probably butchered savahnna!)

Well you almost spelled it right. There are the Savannas of Africa, and the Savannah of Georgia. Savvanah Sparrows are named after the latter.

But spell Savannah Sparrow any way you like, it still isn't the answer!

[jocateme]

Is it Song Sparrow then?

[wee kayso]

ok , i will try lincolns sparrow,

[birderbf]

ok , i will try lincolns sparrow,

Score one for Wee Kayso! It is a Lincoln's Sparrow (shot just outside Glacier NP, Montana).

Now give this one a shot (ID them both!)

[Accipiter91]

I'll take a shot at the big bird! double-crested cormorant?

[jocateme]

I'd agree on Double-crested Cormorant. No idea on the other one.

[OwlTalon]

It's an alcid and a cormorant ;)

I'm gonna be different and guess that this is another western pic of yourn. So I sez........Brandt's? No idea really for the (supposed) alcid, so I take a stab in the dark at Common Murre. Prolly wrong on both though.

[birderbf]

It's an alcid and a cormorant ;)

I'm gonna be different and guess that this is another western pic of yourn. So I sez........Brandt's? No idea really for the (supposed) alcid, so I take a stab in the dark at Common Murre. Prolly wrong on both though.

NO! My prized quiz! It took about 15 guesses on another website! But it is a Brandt's Cormorant flying with a Commom Murre! These birds were seen somewhere northwest of Tofino, in British Columbia, Canada.

Now try this one:

[jocateme]

WOW, OwlTalon!! Congrats for that!

I'll guess Yellow-bellied Sapsucker for this one.

[birderbf]

WOW, OwlTalon!! Congrats for that!

I'll guess Yellow-bellied Sapsucker for this one.

Not a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Sorry!

[tim.birdboy]

Red-naped Sapsuckerer?

[Accipiter91]

I second tim.birdboy

[birderbf]

Red-naped Sapsuckerer?

Ah, just a simple matter of deduction after you figured out it wasn't a YB. That photo was actually taken a couple hundred yards away from the Lincoln's at the top of this page. Score one for the bird boy!

#4 is going to leave you all in the dark:

[Mabel]

Ooh.. American Bittern?

[birderbf]

Ooh.. American Bittern?

Nope. keep trying! :t:

[tim.birdboy]

King Rail!

And woohoo! on the sapsucker! :-D

[Accipiter91]

I think I am going to guess Virginia Rail

[tim.birdboy]

I think I am going to guess Virginia Rail

That was my second guess, if King is wrong.8-P

[birderbf]

That was my second guess, if King is wrong.8-P

Well it isn't wrong at all. The first day I came to see this guy I had the settings all wrong and everything was terribly underexposed (and the bird was no more cooperative than it was for this pic). Then I returned, and well, this (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/309021123_f2d12b9801_o.jpg) happened!!

Now ID all the birdies on the photo (and how many are there?)! If you have a good knowledge of this group, it shouldn't be that hard.

[Mabel]

Great Knots?

[birderbf]

Great Knots?

Not quite!

[Mabel]

Red Knot?

[birderbf]

Red Knot?

Keep going...

[tim.birdboy]

Keep going...

Does that mean that one of them is a Red Knot? If it does, I guess Baird's Sandpipers for the other two, even though they ain't supposed to be in water. ;-)

[Mabel]

I'm probably veering slightly, but Dunlin?
I'll get it right sometime!

[bebirder]

One red knot and three semipalmated sandpipers

[jocateme]

Probably wrong, but just to make things different, I'll guess one Semipalmated Plover and three Semipalmated Sandpipers.

[birderbf]

Probably wrong, but just to make things different, I'll guess one Semipalmated Plover and three Semipalmated Sandpipers.
Sorry!
One red knot and three semipalmated sandpipers
Sorry!
I'm probably veering slightly, but Dunlin?
I'll get it right sometime!
Sorry!
Does that mean that one of them is a Red Knot? If it does, I guess Baird's Sandpipers for the other two, even though they ain't supposed to be in water. ;-)

I ain't saying nuthin'... sorry!

Keep guessing guys!

[jocateme]

1 Semipalmated Plover (why am I insisting on this one???) + 3 Red Knots?

How many point does the winner of this round win? 1, 2 or 4?

[birderbf]

1 Semipalmated Plover (why am I insisting on this one???) + 3 Red Knots?

How many point does the winner of this round win? 1, 2 or 4?

Incorrect combo!

For this round? I was thinking of three myself. :-O

[birderbf]

OK here's a hint: there are no plovers in this picture. And I can't even recall seeing any plovers that day when I shot the above photo.

Another hint: One of the species in the photo has been mentioned previously, but the other hasn't.

[tim.birdboy]

A Red Knot, and three White-rumped Sandpipers!

[birderbf]

A Red Knot, and three White-rumped Sandpipers!

Nope!

[tim.birdboy]

This is tougher than the toughest steak....

A Red Knot, and three Western Sandpipers? :-D :-D

[birderbf]

This is tougher than the toughest steak....

A Red Knot, and three Western Sandpipers? :-D :-D

No, but a very good guess.

[tim.birdboy]

Ooo, methinks I'm getting warm....

Hum, perhaps peep-age. Okay:

Red Knot, and three Least Sandpipers?

[birderbf]

Ooo, methinks I'm getting warm....

Hum, perhaps peep-age. Okay:

Red Knot, and three Least Sandpipers?

No... anyone else out there?

[jocateme]

Great Knot and three Western Sandpipers?

[bebirder]

How about one Red Knot, two Western Sandpipers, and a Least Sandpiper?

[birderbf]

Great Knot and three Western Sandpipers?
Nope - we're dealing with all ABA birds (so far no accidentals or casual birds at all in this quiz). Keep tryin'!
How about one Red Knot, two Western Sandpipers, and a Least Sandpiper?

Only two species here. Both species have been previously mentioned.

The correct combo is still a mystery. Can this pic make a pagefull of guesses? After a page (if we get there!) I may hand out the location of this photograph.

[bebirder]

This might be a little crazy, but how about a White-rumped Sandpiper and three Semipalmated Sandpipers?

[birderbf]

This might be a little crazy, but how about a White-rumped Sandpiper and three Semipalmated Sandpipers?

Crazy? Not at all. A very good guess (probably the closest one yet).

But still wrong!

[chubri777]

How about a White-Rumped, a Least and 2 semipalmateds?

[birderbf]

How about a White-Rumped, a Least and 2 semipalmateds?

Nope, stick with two species!

PS That was the 15th guess already!

[tim.birdboy]

2 White-rumped, and 2 Semipalmated?

[Mabel]

One seems to be a Knot anyway... just the other species!
I'm stumped, but rally the troops, guys, we have one species!!

[bebirder]

Are you absolutely sure it isn't a Red Knot with three Semipalmated Sandpipers? Its the only other possibility!! :h?:

[birderbf]

Ok since you guys seem to be throwing in the white flag, I'll give you one last hint that will absolutely blow you away.

Ready?

Are you sure?

Ok then, here it goes...


There are no knots in this photo.

[jocateme]

A Semipalmated and three White-rumped Sandpipers????

[birderbf]

A Semipalmated and three White-rumped Sandpipers????

Not at all! ;)

[bebirder]

This is my last guess: Western Sandpiper with three Semipalmated Sandpipers.

[birderbf]

This is my last guess: Western Sandpiper with three Semipalmated Sandpipers.

Well I guess I'll be seeing ya on the next quiz! Still incorrect!

[Mark Harper]

One Baird's Sandpiper and three Western Sandpipers.

[birderbf]

One Baird's Sandpiper and three Western Sandpipers.

Mark - welcome to my quiz! You put everyone else to shame - one Baird's and a trio of Westerns it is!

The next one is a bit lighter on the brain:

[bebirder]

One Marbled Godwit and the rest are Black-bellied Plovers

[birderbf]

One Marbled Godwit and the rest are Black-bellied Plovers

Sheesh ... give people a chance to guess. Well that's right (taken in New York in January). Also, the killer Baird's shot was taken in British Columbia last August.

Here's a photo that is perfectly fine and clear, but the content's ID may not be that obvious (or is it?). Here's #7:

[bebirder]

White-rumped Sandpiper!

[tim.birdboy]

Baird's Sandpiper?

[Birdingcraft]

The large bird in the center looks like a Bairds to me; has a thin, straight bill, primaries appear to extend beyond tail and looks too brownish to be White-rumped. Also looks like it has largeish black spots on back that Bairds shows and I cant discern flank streaking that White-rumped would show. The other three peeps look like Semipalmated Sandpiper to me.

[Storm-Petrel]

So annoying!!!! my sibleys is lost! i can do anything w/out it. i guess im with bairds sandpiper.

birdingcraft, wer'e on a different photo

[Birdingcraft]

Woops- didnt realize that the first quiz had been solved!
Ok, for the third one, a very nice photo of White-rumped Sandpiper; slightly drooped bill with reddish area at base, rather grayish overall with white throat, fine gray streaks on chest, streaking on flanks, and look at that white rump!

[jocateme]

Thank god Mark appeared here to give that roundan end. Congrats Merk and Bebirder also!

Just not to be repetitive I'll go with Semipalmated Sandpiper for this one.

[birderbf]

Woops- didnt realize that the first quiz had been solved!
Ok, for the third one, a very nice photo of White-rumped Sandpiper; slightly drooped bill with reddish area at base, rather grayish overall with white throat, fine gray streaks on chest, streaking on flanks, and look at that white rump!

White-rumped Sandpiper it is. I know BEBirder had it first (about 10 seconds after I posted it), but Birdingcraft gets extra points for noting field marks. At first I didn't even realize the white rump was visible on the perched subject, so I had to wait till it flew to confirm my hunch. That was last autumn, when I found this bird at Jones Beach, NY.

Now give this a shot:

[OwlTalon]

What is Broad-tailed Hummingbird?

[Birdingcraft]

Not too much to see on that one! OK, I guess a male Archilocus Hummingbird sp.- either Black-chinned or Ruby-throated because of the slightly forked dark tail and what appears to be a white postocular.

[birderbf]

What is Broad-tailed Hummingbird?

Trebek says no. They're still a few clues left on the board though!

Not too much to see on that one! OK, I guess a male Archilocus Hummingbird sp.- either Black-chinned or Ruby-throated because of the slightly forked dark tail and what appears to be a white postocular.

I'm interested to hear a definitive answer from you, Birdingcraft, as I'd have to say I've neglected to study hummingbirds in great detail, so i could use some pointers. I don't think I can accept Archilocus hummer as an answer though, sorry!

[bebirder]

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

[OwlTalon]

Black-chinned then. ;)

[birderbf]

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I can hardly fool anyone around here! I've seen Ruby-throated and Rufous, although I'm having a debate against myself about having seen an Anna's in Vancouver. Oh yeah, this bird was photographed near Ithaca, in upstate NY.

Anyway score 1 more for BEBirder!

The next guy didn't want to be seen in the wee hours of the morning, as he'd just woke up and hadn't got properly fixed up for the day:

[Mabel]

Hermit Thrush?

[tim.birdboy]

Yellow-billed Cuckoo?

[birderbf]

Hermit Thrush?

Yellow-billed Cuckoo?

Neither! Try again guys.

[tim.birdboy]

Carolina Wren

[Storm-Petrel]

eezee peezee! Carolina Wren

[Storm-Petrel]

wait!!! thats not fair!! how could tim guess it before me!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[birderbf]

Carolina Wren

Yup. I thought that one would be settled on the spot! That was actually taken in the same yard as the hummer.

Two more single subjects, then it's flocking time!

[tim.birdboy]

Is it just an Eastern Phoebe? Hmmm...

[tim.birdboy]

wait!!! thats not fair!! how could tim guess it before me!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

MWHAHAHA, I win, I win, la-la-la-la-LA-LA!o:D o:D o:D

[birderbf]

Is it just an Eastern Phoebe? Hmmm...

No, it's not "just" an Eastern Phoebe. You're going to spark some inter-species disputes in flycatcher circles if you don't watch what you say... ;)

[Storm-Petrel]

Eastern Phoebe!!!!!!!

[Storm-Petrel]

NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! noooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[tim.birdboy]

No, it's not "just" an Eastern Phoebe. You're going to spark some inter-species disputes in flycatcher circles if you don't watch what you say... ;)

Haha, I mean, I said "just", because I thought it was most likely to be something more difficult, which it obviously is. ;-) Eastern Phoebes are easy to identify, so that is why I said "just" as well.

[birderbf]

NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! noooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Calm down!!! It's wrong anyway!!!

:-O You guys are too much! :-O

[birderbf]

Haha, I mean, I said "just", because I thought it was most likely to be something more difficult, which it obviously is. ;-) Eastern Phoebes are easy to identify, so that is why I said "just" as well.

I don't think the phoebes heard it that way! :-O

[Storm-Petrel]

if its not an eastern phoebe its an Olive sided Flycatcher

[Storm-Petrel]

youd think it would be eastern phoebe but wait!! look at the bars on the wings!

[tim.birdboy]

Buffy wingbars means juvenile Empidonax. Waahaaahaaa, I can't do an EMPID! ;-D

[birderbf]

if its not an eastern phoebe its an Olive sided Flycatcher

What happens if it's not an Eastern Phoebe OR an Olive-sided FLycatcher?

[Storm-Petrel]

It has to be either of those because all the other empids have yellow on their bills!

[Storm-Petrel]

Eastern Wood-Pewee!!!!

[Storm-Petrel]

sorry, i was confusing olive sided with eastern wood pewee. my bad

[tim.birdboy]

It has to be either of those because all the other empids have yellow on their bills!

I agree, practically every flycatcher has yellow on their bill! If it ain't Olive-sided, or Eastern Phoebe, it must be a bad angle on the bill. :-(

[Storm-Petrel]

hey, i got it right! Eastern-wood Pewee

[birderbf]

Eastern Wood-Pewee!!!!

A very worn one, shot at Jamaica Bay, NY, one autumn.

Last one before you all go nuts with flocks:

[Storm-Petrel]

Veery!

[tim.birdboy]

Aw man, you BEAT me to it! I agree with Veery...

[birderbf]

Veery!

Very good! But here's your reward...

ID this:

(Yeah I didn't realize that I had another picture before the flocks)

[tim.birdboy]

Red-shouldered Hawk?

[birderbf]

Red-shouldered Hawk?

Nope.

[Storm-Petrel]

rats... i agree

[Storm-Petrel]

the head is to small for a hawk... its a Turkey Vulture!!!!

[birderbf]

the head is to small for a hawk... its a Turkey Vulture!!!!

Not correct, but an interesting point you made. I actually had no clue what is was when I saw it, but eventually I figured it out.

BTW I like the popularity, but you guys made a whole page so far today, so even if you do figure it out, I won't post the next one until tonight. I have plenty of photos, but not an infinite amount!

[tim.birdboy]

Swainson's Hawk?

[Storm-Petrel]

White-tailed hawk?

[Storm-Petrel]

red-tailed hawk?

[bebirder]

Golden Eagle

[birderbf]

Swainson's Hawk?

No...

White-tailed hawk?

Oh I wish!!!

red-tailed hawk?

Nein....

Golden Eagle

And no.

[tim.birdboy]

bebirder and I were talkin', and we think it's an eagle, so I say:

BALD EAGLE?

[OwlTalon]

Mi first thought on this bird was Bald eagle. The wings and bulk say that to me.

[birderbf]

Mi first thought on this bird was Bald eagle. The wings and bulk say that to me.

bebirder and I were talkin', and we think it's an eagle, so I say:

BALD EAGLE?

Correcto!

Now, everybody can chew on this for a day. Just one thing to keep in mind - name all the species. This is a practice drill for quiz #14.

[Storm-Petrel]

Black-bellied Plover
Bar-tailed Godwit
Red Knot

[Storm-Petrel]

oops i posted that accidentaly i didnt fill in all of it dont count it!!!

[Storm-Petrel]

Black-bellied Plover
Bar-tailed Godwit
Red Knot
Sanderling
Bairds Sandpiper

[birderbf]

Black-bellied Plover
Bar-tailed Godwit
Red Knot
Sanderling
Bairds Sandpiper

No hints this round till you all get real desperate.

This selection is wrong.

[Storm-Petrel]

Black-bellied Plover
Red Knot
Sanderling
Bairds Sandpiper

[birderbf]

Black-bellied Plover
Red Knot
Sanderling
Bairds Sandpiper

Still no. And congrats on post #600, Storm-Petrel (hey, that was my 400th!).

[Storm-Petrel]

thank you. all i know is that there are sanderlings and black-bellied plovers in the photo

[birderbf]

all i know is that there are sanderlings and black-bellied plovers in the photo

Maybe... ;)

Anyone else out there going to chime in?

[Storm-Petrel]

haha i knew it...

[jocateme]

WOW!!! Was I that long absent? I've logged in last time yesterday and today there are 3 pages of pure guessing!!

Won't even try this one!!!!

[Birdingcraft]

Cool photo-
OK, I can see...
Black-bellied Plovers
Sanderlings
2 Red Knots to the right
1 Dowitcher sp. in the middle- Long-billed? Short-billed? I really cant give a positive ID from what I can see.
What appears to be a sneaky Dunlin to the right- looks like bit of black on the belly with brown back.
There might be one or two other species as well but I cant see enough on those birds to make a call.

[birderbf]

WOW!!! Was I that long absent? I've logged in last time yesterday and today there are 3 pages of pure guessing!!

Won't even try this one!!!!

No, it's not you - it's mostly a couple of young birders who have nothing better to do than keep guessing (your truly included!). Yeah we made a whole page between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, but luckily they only got through about three photos (I still have plenty left though!).

Don't be intimidated - don't most of the shorebirds up here end up in South America too?

[birderbf]

Cool photo-
OK, I can see...
Black-bellied Plovers
Sanderlings
2 Red Knots to the right
1 Dowitcher sp. in the middle- Long-billed? Short-billed? I really cant give a positive ID from what I can see.
What appears to be a sneaky Dunlin to the right- looks like bit of black on the belly with brown back.
There might be one or two other species as well but I cant see enough on those birds to make a call.

Good lord you're close! Next guess add the dowitcher down to the species and include everything you can see!

[bebirder]

Black-bellied Plover
Red Knot
sanderling
Semipalmated Sanpiper
Dunlin

[Birdingcraft]

OK,
First of all I have to say that you guys have fast connections and maybe a lot of free time?- which is great, I wish I had that too.

17 Black-bellied Plovers
17? Sanderling
3 Red Knots
1 Short-billed Dowitcher (hate to guess!)
1 Dunlin
1 Seipalmated Plover
and 1 Ruddy Turnstone

[Storm-Petrel]

No, it's not you - it's mostly a couple of young birders who have nothing better to do than keep guessing (your truly included!). Yeah we made a whole page between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, but luckily they only got through about three photos (I still have plenty left though!).

Don't be intimidated - don't most of the shorebirds up here end up in South America too?


HEY!!!! i heard that!!! besides, it sharpens my birdingo skills!!! o:D

[bebirder]

Whoops! forgot the Dowitcher, I'm calling it Long-billed

[jocateme]

Yeah... I can see most of the guessers here are rather young.

Some shorebirds do reach South American coast, but most of the ones I've seen were in USA this year. I don't have the opportunity to go birding in coastal places here, but that doesn't mean I would see lots of them if I could.

[birderbf]

OK,
First of all I have to say that you guys have fast connections and maybe a lot of free time?- which is great, I wish I had that too.

17 Black-bellied Plovers
17? Sanderling
3 Red Knots
1 Short-billed Dowitcher (hate to guess!)
1 Dunlin
1 Seipalmated Plover
and 1 Ruddy Turnstone

Patrick: you are still the closest (with BEBirder) but your first guess was a bit more acurate

[Birdingcraft]

OK, here goes,

17 Black-bellied Plovers
17? Sanderling
3 Red Knots
1 Long-billed Dowitcher (hate to guess!)
1 Dunlin

[birderbf]

OK, here goes,

17 Black-bellied Plovers
17? Sanderling
3 Red Knots
1 Long-billed Dowitcher (hate to guess!)
1 Dunlin

Species very close (don't worry about the numbers of the first two).

[Birdingcraft]

Black-bellied Plovers
Sanderling
Red Knots
Short-billed Dowitcher (hate to guess!)
Dunlin

[birderbf]

Black-bellied Plovers
Sanderling
Red Knots
Short-billed Dowitcher (hate to guess!)
Dunlin

As far as I know, that's correct! I have a bunch of good shorebird guides, and I'll scrutinize the dowitcher later, but Short-billed is more likely where it was phootographed, on the south shore of Long Island, NY.

The killer quiz will be posted momentarily. I'm seriously considering telling you where it was taken, but maybe I'll let everyone struggle with it for a while! :t:

[birderbf]

OK you asked for it.. I hope this one photo to make about five pages of guessing. Eventually I'll tell how many species lie within, and maybe where it was taken (to narrow down choices a bit!).


Prepare yourself for the ultimate quiz:

[Storm-Petrel]

Hey! i see a cormorant in there. Im guessing that its a Double-crested Cormorant. And 11 American Oystercatchers

[birderbf]

Hey! i see a cormorant in there. Im guessing that its a Double-crested Cormorant. And 11 American Oystercatchers

I'm not sure, but there may be a few more species than two in there. Forget numbers of different species unless there are only one to three individuals.

[Storm-Petrel]

I see 5 species??? are there only 2?!?!?!? haha a joke. I dont know the other ones yet

[Birdingcraft]

Wow- that is a doozy of a photo! A humdinger, challenge of challenges.

Ok, enough of that.
Greater Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Double crested Cormorant
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Brant
and who knows!!
This one might go on forever

[Storm-Petrel]

Yeah, i see the brant too...

[birderbf]

Wow- that is a doozy of a photo! A humdinger, challenge of challenges.

Ok, enough of that.
Greater Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Double crested Cormorant
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Brant
and who knows!!
This one might go on forever

Well you've covered most of the larger species, but you're not even 50% of the way there yet!

[birderbf]

OK well I'm taking a brief leave of absence ('till Tuesday or Wednesday) so I'll hand one one clue....

On that sandbar that day, I identified 14 species of bird before shooting the picture. No guarantees that they're all identifiable from that distant shot, but you can suffer figuring out whcih 14 they were!

I think next time I'll tell everyone how many species of each genus are in there (i.e. 1 Buteo, 2 Accipiters).

[prairiemerlin]

I see Laughing Gulls in there...

[prairiemerlin]

Dunlin too?

[birderbf]

I'm back everyone!

It seems to me that the large birds have all been ID'd, but now for the shorebirds...

On that day I identified 8 species of shorebird, although I can only find 4 or 5 in there. One from the genus Pluvialis, two (and possibly a third I ID'd) Caldris, and one species of Limnodromus.

Go for it!!

[prairiemerlin]

...and Short-billed Dowitchers?

[birderbf]

...and Short-billed Dowitchers?

Yeah, but what happened to the Caldrids?

[bebirder]

American Oystercatchers
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Laughing Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-bellied Plover
Sanderling
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher

and thats all I can see

[birderbf]

American Oystercatchers
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Laughing Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-bellied Plover
Sanderling
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher

and thats all I can see

Rub your eyes, Quizmonster, because you're seeing things. Try the caldrids again with this hint: this was taken in the summer!

[birderbf]

Hellooooo? (echo, echo, echo) Anyone out there? (echo, echo, echo)

I have another hint for everyone! (Echo, etc)

Although Sanderlings and Dunlin are very hard to miss at this site, neither happened to slide into this picture, as far as I can tell.

[Storm-Petrel]

no sanderlings!?!?!!!!!!!

[birderbf]

no sanderlings!?!?!!!!!!!


Not a one.

[prairiemerlin]

....Least Sandpiper.... ?????

[birderbf]

....Least Sandpiper.... ?????

There are a few peeps running around in there, but none of them happened to be Leasts!

[birderbf]

Maybe to entice you people, I'll add points to the game. Trying to be as fair as possible, I came out with these scores for the last 13 quizes:

1st - TimBirdboy with 4 correct guesses of 20, 20, 10 and 10 points, so 60 points total
2nd - BEBirder with three correct guesses of 10,20 and 20, 50 points
3rd - BirdingCraft AND Mark Haerper tied with one correct guess worth 40 points apiece!
4th - Storm-Petrel is next with two correct guesses, worth 10 and 20 points, so 30 all together
5th - Owltalon AND Wee Kayso tie for 5th, with one correct guess each, for 30 points

Now for the enticing part. This busy picture will be worth 100 points! Go get 'em!

[prairiemerlin]

if not Leasts, perhaps Semipalmateds?

[birderbf]

if not Leasts, perhaps Semipalmateds?

Yup, that's one of the peep species in there.

[birderbf]

Well since this one seems to be making people look elsewhere for a quiz, I'm posting a new photo that shouldn't be too hard for anybody on either side of the Atlantic.

10 points, for easy.

[Storm-Petrel]

swainsons warbler? lol a random guess tahts defenitly not it...

[birderbf]

swainsons warbler?

Nnnnnnope. Keept at it.

[prairiemerlin]

Warbling Vireo?

[Storm-Petrel]

Warbling vireo?

[birderbf]

Warbling Vireo?

Correcto!

Warbling vireo?

Too late!

Taken in Ithaca NY a few years back. End of July.

[Storm-Petrel]

fudge...

[birderbf]

Now ID the two birds in the center. Even I don't remember who that wing belonged too on the left. Good luck

[Storm-Petrel]

northern fulmar above?

[birderbf]

northern fulmar above?

ID 'em both for cryin' out loud! ;)

[Storm-Petrel]

northern fulmar above and manx shearwater below

[birderbf]

northern fulmar above and manx shearwater below


Nope! I knew someone would say that.

[Storm-Petrel]

what about greater shearwater and manx shearwater?

[birderbf]

what about greater shearwater and manx shearwater?

Nope, sorry.

[Storm-Petrel]

admit it, the bottom one is manx...

[Storm-Petrel]

and is the top a Black-capped Petrel?

[birderbf]

and is the top a Black-capped Petrel?

Oh I wish!!

[prairiemerlin]

Northern Fulmar, and gull sp., maybe a Ring-billed ??

[birderbf]

Northern Fulmar, and gull sp., maybe a Ring-billed ??

Northern Fulmar and gull sp. doesn't cut it as an answer! Keep guessing!

[prairiemerlin]

Northern Fulmar and Ring-billed Gull, then!

[Storm-Petrel]

Northern Fulmar and Ring-billed gull

[Storm-Petrel]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!Not again neil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why do i always get there too late!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[prairiemerlin]

Mwhahaha... but I have no idea if that's right! :brains:

[birderbf]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!Not again neil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why do i always get there too late!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Calm down kids - you're both wrong!

[Storm-Petrel]

northern fulmar and franklins gull?

[birderbf]

northern fulmar and franklins gull?

Is that even a possible combination?

No matter, 'tis wrong.

[jcwings]

Laysan Albatross and Black-legged Kittiwake?

[birderbf]

Laysan Albatross and Black-legged Kittiwake?

Welcome JCwings! Unfortunately they aren't what you guessed. Keep at it!

[Birdingcraft]

Although I normally dont do pelagics...
Northern Fulmar and Black-legged Kitiwake

[jcwings]

Although I normally dont do pelagics...
Northern Fulmar and Black-legged Kitiwake

This would have been my next guess except birderbf said "they" so maybe kittiwake is out too.

[birderbf]

Although I normally dont do pelagics...
Northern Fulmar and Black-legged Kitiwake

I'm the same way.

That's not correct though.

[Birdingcraft]

Northern Fulmar and Bonapartes Gull

[Storm-Petrel]

northern fulmar and bonapartes gull is the only other is the only other thing i can think of.......

[birderbf]

Sorry guys - try searching a little farther back into your heads...

[Dave B]

Sorry guys - try searching a little farther back into your heads...

I'll try Bonaparte's below and American Herring Gull above ...

Dave

[birderbf]

I'll try Bonaparte's below and American Herring Gull above ...

Dave

Welcome Dave! And I have good news - you're right! These two (and some other gull escaping on the left) were photographed at Point Lookout on Long Island. Not a pelagic outing at all!


The next isn't terribly difficult (10 points), but if there aren't any guesses by tonight, I may not be around till Thursday, so everyone can guess their hearst out to no avail:

[Storm-Petrel]

Northern Fulmar (dark adult)

[bebirder]

Sooty Shearwater

[birderbf]

Sooty Shearwater

That must be one of my only photos of pelagics actually taken from a boat (off Vancouver Isalnd, British Columbia)! Sooty it is!

The next is a lite snack to chew on for now:

[Storm-Petrel]

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow?

[birderbf]

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow?

That's the one! Forgot to mention that one was ten points. Taken last month at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside, unfortunately I screwed up the settings somehow so it was really underexposed.

Now for the duo, 20 points:

[Storm-Petrel]

Swainsons thrush? dont tell me that indistinguishable blob in the corner is a bird!?????!!

[birderbf]

Swainsons thrush? dont tell me that indistinguishable blob in the corner is a bird!?????!!

That blob in the corner just may well be a bird! :-O

[Storm-Petrel]

Brown Thrasher and Swainsons Thrush?

[birderbf]

Brown Thrasher and Swainsons Thrush?

Bingo! 20 points for you! Funny, isn't it? An Unregistered user and a Half-registered user on the same quiz! What's going on here?

20 points for the next one - ID every single species in the photo! And I don't want to hear nobody whining that I only seen these or those, OK? SIr yessir!! :t:

[bebirder]

Common and Roseate Terns

[Birdingcraft]

How fast these quizes change while I am at work!

Common Tern...y nada mas.

[prairiemerlin]

All Common Terns?

[Storm-Petrel]

common terns, duh ;)

[birderbf]

How fast these quizes change while I am at work!

Common Tern...y nada mas.

Si! I can hardly trick anyone 'round here! Shot these guys at Jones Beach, NY last fall.

Next guiz in a moment...

[Storm-Petrel]

what, do you think we birders identify birds on tricks in the words you said??? we look at The shape color, and jizz of the bird, not something like: ID every single species in the photo. Were too smart for that!!! lololololololol :D
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[birderbf]

what, do you think we birders identify birds on tricks in the words you said??? we look at The shape color, and jizz of the bird, not something like: ID every single species in the photo. Were too smart for that!!! lololololololol :D
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

OK then, gnaw on this... figure out what to do fer yourself!

[Storm-Petrel]

Herring Gull, Lesser-black backed Gull, and Ring-billed Gull

[Birdingcraft]

adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull and third basic Lesser-Black-backed Gull

[Birdingcraft]

adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull and third basic Lesser-Black-backed Gull and Ring-billed Gull off to the right.

[birderbf]

adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull and third basic Lesser-Black-backed Gull and Ring-billed Gull off to the right.

Good lord! Such detail! I just got Peterson's gull book and I thought that was mind-blowing! ;)

I can't say if you're plumage stages are correct or not, but the species aren't. You'll figure it out though!

[prairiemerlin]

Haha! There are four birds! Herring, Great Black Backed, Lesser Black-backed, and Ring-billed!

[Birdingcraft]

Hmmmm...adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull, another Great Black-backed Gull (third basic) and Ring-billed Gull off to the right.

[birderbf]

Haha! There are four birds! Herring, Great Black Backed, Lesser Black-backed, and Ring-billed!

Patrick already said that. Again, not quite right.

Hmmmm...adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull, another Great Black-backed Gull (third basic) and Ring-billed Gull off to the right.

Nope.

[Birdingcraft]

Hmmmm...adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull, another Great Black-backed Gull (third basic) and Ring-billed Gull, anf Laughing Gull.

[birderbf]

Hmmmm...adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull, another Great Black-backed Gull (third basic) and Ring-billed Gull, anf Laughing Gull.

More and more gulls keep coming! Still wrong.

[bebirder]

Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
2 Herring Gull

[nickderry]

from left to right, herring, great black backed, lesser black backed, ring-billed and herring - don't know if it's been suggested already but I'm too sleepy to check.

[birderbf]

Uh oh ... I just found a mistake there! I hadn't actually seen that half a gull on the right before.|^| And honestly, I'm not sure what it is! I'm going to look at it for a while and figure it out. If it is what I suspect it to be, I'll let the winner know (even if was a prior guesser). Now I'll jack this one up to 30 points as bonus since I was so ignorant here.

[birderbf]

Uh oh ... I just found a mistake there! I hadn't actually seen that half a gull on the right before.|^| And honestly, I'm not sure what it is! I'm going to look at it for a while and figure it out. If it is what I suspect it to be, I'll let the winner know (even if was a prior guesser). Now I'll jack this one up to 30 points as bonus since I was so ignorant here.

OK I'm very sure I know what all the gulls are now. I will in Baltimore until Thursday afternoon, so you can keep guessing until then. Probably won't see any birds to shoot for this quiz, but I might try my luck with fireworks!

Until then - good birding!

[Storm-Petrel]

aww darn... he left us awn u cliff haynger... ;)

[jcwings]

adult alternate plumaged Herring Gull, second basic Great Black-Backed Gull and third basic Lesser-Black-backed Gull

This is my guess too. I have no idea what the fourth bird is, maybe a second or third Herring Gull.

These are fun. Maybe I'll start one of my own for those who want to play on! Any takers?

[Birdingcraft]

This is my guess too. I have no idea what the fourth bird is, maybe a second or third Herring Gull.

These are fun. Maybe I'll start one of my own for those who want to play on! Any takers?

Yes, please do! If I can get a faster connection, I will try and post a quiz with international birds.

[birderbf]

Thank you and good luck with your quizes guys! They're all the rage these days. Just don't leave me in the dark!!

[birderbf]

Anyway to clear things up we are dealing with four and a half gulls in this photo! Unfortunately half a gull is still a gull, so that needs to be ID'd along with the rest!

So please, from left to right, we have...?

[bebirder]

Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-Backed, Herring

[birderbf]

Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-Backed, Herring

That is four my friend. I am looking for four and a half.

[bebirder]

Oh sorry, didnt notice.

Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Great Black-backed

[birderbf]

Oh sorry, didnt notice.

Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Great Black-backed

Nope.

[Birdingcraft]

Are there 4 or 5 birds in the photo?

If 5 then from left to right; Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ring-billed Gull and first year Herring Gull as the half bird.

[birderbf]

Are there 4 or 5 birds in the photo?

If 5 then from left to right; Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ring-billed Gull and first year Herring Gull as the half bird.

Are there four or five - neither! Four and a half (but the half still needs a name, so five names!).

Very close though!

[birderbf]

Now I have just thought of a new plan for scoring that should prove interesting! In addition to the posted score, for every incorrect guess the total reward for guessing correctly will be boosted by 1 point. So if I post a picture, and someone guesses correctly on the first try, they win they given score. If one person guesses incorrectly before the the correct guesser, they get an extra point. Two people guess incorrectly, two extra points. So basically it's a jackpot that will steadily increase with every wrong answer.

This process will start again whenever a new quiz picture is posted. Only rule is - you (as a single person) can only guess once until I confirm your answer as right or wrong, so you can't make ten outrageous guesses and boost your score considerably when you get it right.

Basically, the game play won't change at all except for the odd extra point!

[birderbf]

OK so this one was originally worth 30 points (I fogot to post that) and now has 12 guesses - so that means if the next guess is correct, you win 42 points! One little bit of advice for people getting confused on this one - your problem lies in the two (one and a half) gulls on the right. The other three are indeed Herring, Great Black-backed, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

So the new total scores are as follows!

Gold Storm-Petrel with 75 points (4 correct guesses)
Silver Tim.Birdboy with 71 points (4 correct)
Bronze Birdingcraft with 68 points (2 correct)
4th BEBirder with 63 points (4 correct)
5th Mark Harper with 59 points (2 correct)
6th Dave B with 42 points (only 1 correct!)
7th Wee Kayso with 36 points (only 1 correct, but the very first one)
8th Owltalon (on leave) with 32 points (1 correct)
9th PrairieMerlin with 11 points (1 correct)

[birderbf]

Here's #21 again... worth 42 points now.

[jcwings]

Wow birderbf- you have a lot of time on your hands to keep track of such a complex scoring scale. ;)

I have had trouble discerning that there are five gulls in this photo. I think I see the back half of a gull at the extreme right of the shot. I'll play again and say (from left to right): Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, also Herring, and #5 a first or second cycle Herring (rear half only).

[birderbf]

Wow birderbf- you have a lot of time on your hands to keep track of such a complex scoring scale. ;)

I am not old enough to work in most places!

I have had trouble discerning that there are five gulls in this photo. I think I see the back half of a gull at the extreme right of the shot. I'll play again and say (from left to right): Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, also Herring, and #5 a first or second cycle Herring (rear half only).[/QUOTE]

I can hardly tell what cycle who's in, but I feel pretty confident that indeed you are looking at a Herring, a Greater Black-backed, a Lesser Black-backed, another Herring (zooming in confirms, despite the ringed bill, which can be easily misleading at such a distance) and the half bird appears to be the right size, shape, and colors for a third Herring Gull.

If anyone wants to battle out their case, feel free. Meanwhile, 42 points for JCWings! You are tied with Mark Harper, and since you both have one correct guess each, that tiebreaker doesn't work.

Anyway... #22! Begining at 20 points.

[bebirder]

Northern Harrier

[Storm-Petrel]

hey, thats not fair!!! oh well, thats what i woulda guessed... ya need harder ones birderbf! ;)

[birderbf]

hey, thats not fair!!! oh well, thats what i woulda guessed... ya need harder ones birderbf! ;)

Don't worry harder ones are coming!

Well done BEBirder, seems you've stolen the lead.

20 points for this next one because it may not be terribly obvious. Then again, maybe it will. ID it:

[bebirder]

perhaps Pigeon Guillemot