Need help with identification (1 Viewer)

[sirijay]

Hello,

I am a novice birder and an avid photographer. This often results in my getting decent photos of birds, but struggling to identify them. I would really appreciate your help with identifying the birds in the attached photos:

Bird-1: Taken in Los Angeles last week
Bird 2: Taken in Michigan in July
Bird 3: Taken in Los Angeles last week
Bird 4: Taken in the Badlands (ND) last summer

Thank you very much for you help.

 

[delia todd]

Hi sirijay and welcome on behalf of the Staff and Moderators

We've moved your thread to the ID forum, as you're likely to get quicker help there.

D

 

[Marmot]

HI

Welcome to Birdforum.

It might be worthwhile putting these in the ID threads. The only one I can help you with is No 3 which are Domestic [farmyard] Ducks. No4 looks like some type of Grouse.

 

[prattw]

#1 is a Bushtit, #3, as Marmot said, are domestic mallards, #4 looks like a female Sharptailed Grouse. #2 looks like a flycatcher, maybe an Eastern Phoebe, but I'm not well enough up on eastern flycatchers for that to be more than a guess, given the picture.

Will

 

[MariettaBirder]

No 1 looks like a Bushtit (which agrees with Will Pratt who beat me to it)

 

[sirijay]

Thanks very much - tow confirmations as Bushtit.

 

[sirijay]

That explains why I couldn't find anything resembling #3 in Sibley!
Thanks

 

[sirijay]

Thanks - I assumed it was some sort of Phoebe but the very strong markings on the breast is confusing me.

 

[james holdsworth]

I would say it is an Eastern Phoebe that is soaking wet on the underparts.......at least it looks wet.

 

[Microtus]

#2 does look like an Eastern Phoebe.

 

[MLoyko]

I agree #2 looks like a flycatcher of some sorts..strange looking though.

 

[sirijay]

Thanks everyone. I am learning how to better use this forum every time I get on.

I did get the clear message that location (country/state/time of year) would be very helpful in the future.

Any additional thoughts on Prattw's ID of Bird-4 as a female Sharptailed Grouse? This may be inappropriate, but I trying to get further confirmation and any hints on what to look for in this particular photo. Thanks.

 

[SteveC_07]

Any additional thoughts on Prattw's ID of Bird-4 as a female Sharptailed Grouse? This may be inappropriate, but I trying to get further confirmation and any hints on what to look for in this particular photo. Thanks.

Sirijay,

I also think this if a female Sharptailed Grouse. The only other real possibility would be a female Greater Prairie-Chicken, but I'm pretty sure it's a Grouse.

 

[LKB-28]

My two cents - to add generate some confusion on #4!!!

Shouldn't a Sharp-tailed Grouse have a crested head? The eye marks don't look right to me either; but I can't come up with any alternative...

According to Sibley's Sharp-tailed Grouse & Greater Prairie-Chicken will & do hybridise; so could be a cross I guess...

 

[sirijay]

One again thank you to everyone! I am certain that I'll be back on seeking help with some other sightings.

 

[Tero]

Here is a phoebe with areas of light and dark on the chest
http://wildlifeofnorthamerica.info/BNA/Ephb_234T_4x6_034520.jpg

 

[SJC]

I don't think they're in ND but no. 4 looks like a Blue Grouse to me

 

[prattw]

My two cents - to add generate some confusion on #4!!!

Shouldn't a Sharp-tailed Grouse have a crested head? The eye marks don't look right to me either; but I can't come up with any alternative...

According to Sibley's Sharp-tailed Grouse & Greater Prairie-Chicken will & do hybridise; so could be a cross I guess...

Actually the Sharptail's crest is usually only erected when the bird is alarmed or curious. In a resting bird like that one you wouldn't see it.

Will

 

[Paul Pickering]

The LA bird is a bushtit, I do believe.

 

[SJC]

sirijay, for the grouse look at the general colouration as well as the pattern of the feathers on the throat, flanks and breast sides.

Compare with these:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3312283500_44bb2ea978.jpg
http://www.vancouverislandbirds.com/amay0506-070bluegrouse.jpg
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/images/temprain/blue_grouse_5085.jpg

as opposed to these:

http://visitcranelake.com/images/blog/Sharp-tailed Grouse, female.jpg
http://www.lilibirds.com/gallery2/d/2603-3/sharp-tailed_grouse_1a.jpg
http://gerritvynphoto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/sharp-tailed-grouse_11.jpg

Also check where you saw and photographed the bird