usa (1 Viewer)

[Vocifer]

USA Birding, LA & TX

I was in the USA in July this year. We visited Lost Maples SNA, in Texas. Although extremely hot, we did see some nice birds for a newcomer. (My first birding in the USA)
I am completely baffled with these birds. Although the features look pretty straightforward, I cannot match them to any bird in my Sibley’s field guide. I would appreciate some help. From past experience the birds look like they are from the same species, possibly male and female, although I could be wrong:

 

[Andy Hurley]

Black crested Titmouse?

Andy

edit you added several so my answer is to your original post

 

[Larry Sweetland]

You've got 2 different species there, a titmouse and a chickadee. I'd guess Black-crested Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee, but don't have a guide book here. I'm sure someone will confirm or correct soon.

 

[Vocifer]

Thank you Andy. The field guide does look a bit different and the flanks are buffy, but I agree with you. Larry, the bird list of the reserve mentions only Carolina chickadee and I also agree with you. Again, the guide is a bit misleading.
These next birds were also seen at the same spot and have me stumped. I am looking at the sparrows, but they are difficult for a USA foreigner. Unfortunately I have no other info like sound and behaviour?

Not sure if these are the same:

This bird also visited the feeder and was more skittish (Also a sparrow?):

 

[Andy Hurley]

1+3 House Sparrow?
2 female northern Cardinal?

Andy

EDIT Last 2 are sparrows, but wait for a local to id sp. Nearest I could find is Lark Bunting but don't knoe for sure

 

[Vocifer]

Don't you mean House Finch?

 

[Andy Hurley]

Don't you mean House Finch?

It looks like a plain old house sparrow that are common in europe passer domesesticus


Andy

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It looks like a plain old house sparrow that are common in europe

Andy

1&3 are certainly House Finches. House Sparrows are never streaked like that on the underparts.

 

[Andy Hurley]

1&3 are certainly House Finches. House Sparrows are never streaked like that on the underparts.

I stand corrected, thankyou Andrew

Andy

 

[Vocifer]

Thank you again.

Seen in Bayou Black, Louisiana. It is just a Common Grackle female?

Seen at Lake Calcasieu, Louisiana:
Also Common Grackle (Male)?

The white on the wings and nape confuse me with this bird. Is it also a Grackle?:

 

[Vocifer]

You've got 2 different species there, a titmouse and a chickadee. I'd guess Black-crested Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee, but don't have a guide book here. I'm sure someone will confirm or correct soon.

What is interesting here is that the bird list of the reserve does not mention Black-crested Titmouse but only Tufted Titmouse! However this can only be Black-crested.

 

[Andy Hurley]

What is interesting here is that the bird list of the reserve does not mention Black-crested Titmouse but only Tufted Titmouse! However this can only be Black-crested.

Here is a quote from Cornell which explains it.
"A bird of Texas and northeastern Mexico, the Black-crested Titmouse is common in oak woods and towns. It was once considered a subspecies of the Tufted Titmouse, and the two species are very similar in appearance, voice, and habits."

The bird list could be older than the new classification.

Andy

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Thank you again.

Seen in Bayou Black, Louisiana. It is just a Common Grackle female?

Seen at Lake Calcasieu, Louisiana:
Also Common Grackle (Male)?

The white on the wings and nape confuse me with this bird. Is it also a Grackle?:

The first is either a Great-tailed or Boat-tailed Grackle. The others are all of Red-winged Blackbirds.

 

[Andy Hurley]

Thank you again.

Seen in Bayou Black, Louisiana. It is just a Common Grackle female?

Seen at Lake Calcasieu, Louisiana:
Also Common Grackle (Male)?

The white on the wings and nape confuse me with this bird. Is it also a Grackle?:

2 and 3 look like Red winged Blackbird to me. Note much shorter bill

Andy

EDIT Sorry Andrew parallel post

 

[Vocifer]

Again I tend to agree. Seeing the habitat, a swamp, it should then rather be Boat-tailed? I saw a female and a chick earlier.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Again I tend to agree. Seeing the habitat, a swamp, it should then rather be Boat-tailed? I saw a female and a chick earlier.

Going by the Ebird range map I think Boat-tailed Grackle is much more likely in that area.

 

[Vocifer]

The last few ID's I want help with are attached. Taken in Bandera, TX. Mid July near a stream.
I think it might be Pine Warbler. Also looked at Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gey Vireo and Flycatchers. Discarded all by virtue of season, distribution and features ie bill. There might of course be more than one ID. I have no info regarding behaviour or calls.

 

[beakgeek]

This bird also visited the feeder and was more skittish (Also a sparrow?):

This looks like a worn Rufous-crowned Sparrow. They are common at the location you mentioned.

 

[beakgeek]

The last few ID's I want help with are attached. Taken in Bandera, TX. Mid July near a stream.
I think it might be Pine Warbler. Also looked at Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gey Vireo and Flycatchers. Discarded all by virtue of season, distribution and features ie bill. There might of course be more than one ID. I have no info regarding behaviour or calls.

#1 Eastern Phoebe
#2 Female House Sparrow
#3 Young Eastern Bluebird
#4 Vermillion Flycatcher

 

[Vocifer]

Thanks Beakgeek. Would this also be Rufous -crowned Sparrow?