Help with Eastern PA Bird ID (1 Viewer)

K

KerryL

Member

• Jul 24, 2017

• #1

Hello all,

I happened across this bird yesterday. Size and shape (and behavior?) fit European Starling, I think, but the coloring was different from what I would have expected. Unfortunately, I only have poor photographs to offer.

The small dark patch on the wing appeared deep blue, like a female mallard's wing bar. Didn't get a good look at the breast and I didn't see any other marks on the back or wings.

I'm tempted to write it off as a starling even though the colors don't match.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

-Kerry

 

Attachments

• 
  IMG_20170723_151725.jpg

  552.1 KB · Views: 56
• 
  IMG_20170723_151723.jpg

  560.7 KB · Views: 40
• 
  IMG_20170723_151730.jpg

  575.6 KB · Views: 46

stuartelsom

Well-known member

• Jul 24, 2017

• #2

Hi Kerry,

It's a young European Starling. Juveniles look quite different to the adult with pale facial surround a very distinctive feature.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jul 24, 2017

• #3

Amazing how this species seems to pose a regular problem to American birders, I assume it's in the field guides?

No books with me in Russia to check


A

 

Last edited: Jul 24, 2017

K

Kratter

Well-known member

• Jul 24, 2017

• #4

andyadcock said:

Amazing how this species seems to pose a regular problem to American birders, I assume it's in the filed guides?

No books with me in Russia to check


A

Click to expand...

Not so amazing. Lots of beginning birders in Canada/US (population 450 million). I assume the Dunnock is in the European Field Guides?

Andy

 

Last edited: Jul 24, 2017

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 24, 2017

• #5

andyadcock said:

Amazing how this species seems to pose a regular problem to American birders, I assume it's in the filed guides?

Click to expand...

If the guides are filed away, then yes .... 8-P 3

Yep, Starling is in, but it's in a different part (between thrashers and pipits) well away from all the Icteridae species that they commonly consort with. I suspect that (and their juveniles being so different to adults) is why they escape notice in the guides.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 24, 2017

• #6

Kratter said:

I assume the Dunnock is in the European Field Guides?

Click to expand...

Not really a valid comparison! Starling is an introduced species in N America, and it's a valid question as to whether some field guides might only include natives. As an example, the latest edition of the Collins [European] Bird Guide doesn't include Mandarin Duck or Rose-ringed Parakeet (both common ferals) in the main section (and has been much criticised for it).

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jul 24, 2017

• #7

Kratter said:

Not so amazing. Lots of beginning birders in Canada/US (population 450 million). I assume the Dunnock is in the European Field Guides?

Andy

Click to expand...

That's funny Andy, I very nearly wrote just that!

However, Dunnock is slightly more cryptic than a Starling which shouldn't really cause as many problems as they seem to, hence the Q about field guides, it being an introduces species, it wasn't a dig at American birders if that's what you thought?


A

 

Last edited: Jul 24, 2017