Calling on the forum for more bird ID help... (1 Viewer)

N

NewYorkRookie

Member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #1

OK, I've got a few more... Some will seem almost silly to ask, but I just can't be convinced by some of the traits...
Picture 1: (Unconfirmed2) Looks like a starling, but has more feathers in head area... Took picture in NY in summer 2009
Picture 2: (Unconfirmed3) Another picture from Glen Cove, LI from summer '09, body size of a starling but what...?
I have two more that I'll post to this thread on the next msg.

 

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N

NewYorkRookie

Member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #2

My uploads are failing so I'll leave the next two for another time. Any thoughts on these?

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #3

The first IS a European Starling, a bird moulting out of juvenile plumage into 1st winter.

The second appears to be a Turdus thrush. I'm left wondering if a freshly fledged American Robin could look like this. Never having seen one, I'll let US experts decide.


Edit: Looks like they do

http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/Photos/images/MarkJankuraAmericanRobinjuvenile.jpg

 

N

NewYorkRookie

Member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #4

Thanks Jane! I'll post a reply on this thread tomorrow (as I can't upload any more pics today apparently...) with the two other birds in question.
I've never used forums before- And this warm welcome truly makes this one of my favorite online experiences!

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jun 15, 2010

• #5

The second appears to be a juvie American Robin.

I don't know what kind of problems you are having with uploads as you should be able to upload 5 pics per post so if it continues, let us know.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Jun 15, 2010

• #6

The second bird is a recently fledged American Robin.

 

N

NewYorkRookie

Member

• Jun 16, 2010

• #7

These two are my last for now... I promise...

The first is likely a sterling, except the body seems very stocky and the bill is too long. Also the picture was taken in Summer '09 in ORLANDO, FL... Do they have Sterlings in FLA???
The second bird I have no clue... Maybe a warbler of some kind? Taken Summer '09 in Staten Island, NY. Bird is smaller than a catbird, but bigger than a sparrow. Any clues?
Thanks!

 

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J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jun 16, 2010

• #8

Both of your photos in post #7 are European Starlings. The first a juvenile.

Feel free to post other photos. But if you start a new thread, please put the location in the title of thread (see sticky at the top of the Bird Id subforum).

Best,
Jim

 

Peter C.

...just zis guy, you know?

• Jun 16, 2010

• #9

Both birds in post #7 are Starlings too. The one on the left is a juvenile with a little bit of first basic plumage (the dark, white-tipped feathers) showing through. The right one is more "adult-like" in plumage (but with some spots left - eventually, they wear off, leaving the breast all-dark.) That's what makes them a bit of a challenge - juvvie looks very different from first fall/winter bird, which in turn looks very different from summer adult.
And to answer your other question ... Florida? Yes, there are a lots of European Starlings in the U.S., just about everywhere!

 

N

NewYorkRookie

Member

• Jun 16, 2010

• #10

A juvvie Starling? Really??? That's one I'd never have guessed. The body seems different, the stance is more upright, the feathers are nothing like the adult version, and the beak is not only a different color, but it also seems slimmer. I'm glad you guys could ID it because I really had no clue... Thanks all!

 

C

CAU

Well-known member

• Jun 16, 2010

• #11

Starling ageing

Jane Turner said:

The first IS a European Starling, a bird moulting out of juvenile plumage into 1st winter.

Click to expand...

Peter C. said:

Both birds in post #7 are Starlings too. The one on the left is a juvenile with a little bit of first basic plumage (the dark, white-tipped feathers) showing through. The right one is more "adult-like" in plumage (but with some spots left - eventually, they wear off, leaving the breast all-dark.) That's what makes them a bit of a challenge - juvvie looks very different from first fall/winter bird, which in turn looks very different from summer adult.

Click to expand...

A juvenile Starling is brown. It acquires a black plumage with white spots during the postjuvenile moult, which is usually complete. Eventually the spots wear off, but not until next spring.

The first photo in post #1 shows a bird that is essentially black with brown wings. Because of the black body without white spots, it can't be a juvenile or a first winter bird, so it is a worn adult (at least 2cy).

The first photo in post #7 shows a moulting juvenile (note the broad white tips to the fresh feathers), and the second photo in post #7 a moulting adult (the forebody is uniformly black, so it can't be a 1cy bird).

 

Last edited: Jun 16, 2010