Unidentified bird in Sonoma County CA (1 Viewer)

[Kaibu]

Couldnt figure it out on any of my identification apps so would love some help

Thank you!

https://i.ibb.co/TbNLGWL/B9-DE5903-D534-45-E2-94-FA-2-E7212-D56910.png

https://i.ibb.co/BVhmFPf/DD4-E5-BA4-82-F1-488-F-80-B9-6-C972718-CAB0.png

In case photos are displaying weird so here are the links!

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Thank you for all the responses! Honestly a little relieved others were unsure too because I sure was having a hard time.

Purple Martin and Stellers Jay look like solid guesses to me. Thank you all again!

 

[Microtus]

It might be a young Steller's Jay?

 

[SueO]

How about a Purple Martin?

 

[SueO]

How about a Purple Martin?

Just thinking the bill on the seond image is somewhat Progne.

 

[Microtus]

How about a Purple Martin?

Upon reflection, that's probably what it is.

 

[connorco]

I have to go with Steller's Jay here. Purple Martin are uncommon in this are, just started breeding, and nest almost exclusively in tall dead trees. This also looks more like a Jay.

 

[Butty]

Steller's jay has cutting edge of mandibles pretty much dead straight, with upper and lower mandible pretty symmetrical. This bird just... doesn't. So I can't see it as one. >>

https://feederwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/StellersJay-MatthewOlson-sig.jpg

This bird does have a bill fairly like purple martin - but do they really sit about in the middle of bushes in the day?? I've never seen any hirundine do that. Sick? - sick birds do odd things.
Pass.

 

[connorco]

I can't see this as anything other then a young Steller's Jay. For those who've never seen juveniles of the species, here are some photos.

 

[SueO]

I can see what you mean. The middle picture on the bottom row (of the photos you posted) shows the weird looking bill in the OPs first photo. I didn't think the crest on the OPs bird was large enough, but it looks ok in that shot. Edit: The 'weirdness' is due to the gape?

 

[SueO]

Do the feet look a bit big for Martin? I didn't like those, but I just thought the 'angry' bird look in the second photo looked so martin. I also looked at the links from the OP which are easier to view than the big photos. Well, Microtus, it's my turn to say, upon relection.....

 

[birdmeister]

I agree with Connorco that it must be a Steller's Jay. In addition to others' comments on martins resting in bushes, etc., I would add that juv. Purple Martin should have a dirty grayish-white belly, not dark charcoal gray with hints of blue.

 

[Butty]

juv. Purple Martin should have a dirty grayish-white belly

No one suggested it would be a juvenile - there's no sign of that.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here and I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[KC Foggin]

Two lovely images of this species.

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