First post - please help ID this unique visitor! (2 Viewers)

[JPT]

We noticed an unfamiliar bird this morning. We usually have lots of Blue Jays, Cardinals, Grackles, etc. but we've never seen this before and have had no luck on Google Image Search, or Merlin, or any of the other bird ID apps. Does anyone recognize it? We are in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. It is about the sides of a Blue Jay, maybe slightly smaller. Thanks!



These are grabs from a video - which was too big to load. Here's its back if that helps!

 

[delia todd]

Hi JPT and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. Blue Jay was on my mind, especially from the last image. Can't help much more than that though. There'll be someone along shortly to help you though.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing about the birds you see around you.

 

[JPT]

I thought so too at first but it's black vs blue and the head is very different. Thanks!

Hi JPT and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. Blue Jay was on my mind, especially from the last image. Can't help much more than that though. There'll be someone along shortly to help you though.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing about the birds you see around you

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[THE_FERN]

It's an icterid ("blackbird"); probably moulting brown-headed cowbird but difficult with images of this quality

 

[JPT]

It's an icterid ("blackbird"); probably moulting brown-headed cowbird but difficult with images of this quality

I took the images from a video on my phone - this might be a better view... thank you!

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I agree with The_Fern...it's a Brown Headed Cowbird molting into adult male plumage.