Unknown Bird - San Diego, USA (1 Viewer)

D

drsgeo

Well-known member

• Dec 19, 2007

• #1

I took these photos last summer right near the beach in Coronado, California, but got stumped trying to ID them. I think the first four were the same bird (or at least very similar birds), with the final one a different bird. They seem to be female and male of the same species. The closest I could find in my field guides were cowbirds and blackbirds, but nothing seemed quite right. Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

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Larry Lade

Moderator

• Dec 19, 2007

• #2

To me they all look like Brewer's Blackbirds.

 

Chris Benesh

So much work, so little time...so let's go birding

• Dec 19, 2007

• #3

Hi All,

This one is a juvenile Starling. Notice the different structure, bill shape, short tail, etc.

Chris

 

Gentoo

Guest

• Dec 19, 2007

• #4

2 is a juvenile Starling. The others are female Brewer's Blackbirds.

 

C

cavan wood

Well-known member

• Dec 19, 2007

• #5

bird 2 is a starling....but I think the rest are something else, as they have a different bill shape, posture, shape, plumage etc. I was also thinking brewer's for the rest, but not that sure.

Scott

 

Last edited: Dec 19, 2007

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 19, 2007

• #6

If you look closely at the starling you can see that its just started its post juvenile moult. Its greater coverts have the familiar iridescent green centres of an adult bird.

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Dec 19, 2007

• #7

I did not look closely enough at each individual photo and "passed over" the European Starling in photo # 2.

 

G

goshawk227

Diehard Massachusetts Birder

• Dec 19, 2007

• #8

Starling in #2, female Brewer's in the rest.

 

Tero

Retired

• Dec 19, 2007

• #9

Striking similarity to the starling in #2. Of all the pictures.