Mystery bird, El Paso, Tesas (1 Viewer)

[Mike Richardson]

These photos were taken in El Paso in late February by my girlfriend. I did not see the bird. Although the photo is poor, I think the bird looks like some type of blackbird/cowbird.

Can anyone identify it to species level?



Thank you in anticipation.

EDIT: Just realised my typo in the title! It should be El Paso in TEXAS!

 

[lmans66]

Looks like a brown headed cowbird...something real common in your neck of the woods with all of that open country...cattle, pastures, fences etc....

 

[Birdingcraft]

Looks like a brown headed cowbird...something real common in your neck of the woods with all of that open country...cattle, pastures, fences etc....

Sure looks like that species.

 

[Mike Richardson]

I was thinking Brown-headed Cowbird, although I just thought I'd see what everyone else thought. I saw this species in the same location about an hour earlier.

BTW Imans66, I don't live in Texas (unfortunately), I was on vacation. Thank you both for your help.

 

[Larry Lade]

I thought Brown-headed Cowbird initially, but the bill just does not look stout enough on either photograph for a cowbird.

I think that perhaps this is a female Brewer's Blackbird as the Brewer's has a more slender and pointed bill.

 

[cavan wood]

I thought Brown-headed Cowbird initially, but the bill just does not look stout enough on either photograph for a cowbird.

I think that perhaps this is a female Brewer's Blackbird as the Brewer's has a more slender and pointed bill.

I was thinking brewer's for the same reason. Skink, can you tell us, did the head look brown compared to the black body? The colours are difficult to make out in these photos.
Scott

 

[Mike Richardson]

I didn't see the bird myself, although I saw a BH Cowbird earlier nearby. I see what you both mean with bill shape and that is one of the reasons for my post. My girlfriend doesn't remember even taking the photo!

Thanks

 

[Microtus]

It looks like a female Brewer's Blackbird. The bill is too long for a Brown-headed Cowbird.

 

[Jim M.]

Agree with Brewer's Blackbird.

Jim

 

[lmans66]

The brewers is possible...the coloration could easily fit both....the definition of color between the brown head and darker body is more conducive to the cowbird although the beak looks more like a brewers... Most probably Brewers then.....

 

[Jim M.]

The brewers is possible...the coloration could easily fit both....

A male BHC would have a uniformly pitch black body and a dark brown head. This bird has a light brown head and some light coloration on the body. A female BHC would have a uniformly light brown body, not the mostly dark coloration we see here. So I don't think the plumage fits BHC. Long legs and tail also fit structure of Brewer's better.

Here are some female brewer's (if you scroll down): http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/01/11/brewers-blackbirds/

Cordially,
Jim

 

[Mike Richardson]

Thanks for all the help. I think Brewer's is most likely now, especially looking at bill shape.