Monday, October 6, 2008

Name That Bird

Not being an expert birder, I have never done a bird identification post. I photographed a bird that is immediately identifiable when viewed from the front. From the back, however, it is a bit more difficult.

This may be too easy and there is no prize. I did not deliberately obscure the features of the head. The sun was shining directly on the bird. The head and beak are not white. The head color is somewhat distorted by the sun.

HINT: (Added 11:40 EDT) The bird is about the same size as a Wood Thrush.





I will post a more revealing photograph of this bird tomorrow.
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14 comments:

  1. Twisted FencepostOctober 6, 2008 at 10:35 AM

    I haven't the slightest idea. I am looking forward to the answer and more pictures tomorrow!

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  2. CherylOctober 6, 2008 at 10:45 AM

    How wonderful a mystery bird.....look forward to seeing more in your next post......

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  3. dguzmanOctober 6, 2008 at 10:57 AM

    Uh... is that some weirdo starling?

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  4. AnonymousOctober 6, 2008 at 11:01 AM

    I have consulted my Peterson's guide to no avail. How big is he/she?

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  5. Dog_geekOctober 6, 2008 at 11:05 AM

    Well, if there's no prize, then I'm not playing! (Also, because I have no idea!) :o)

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  6. Julie ZickefooseOctober 6, 2008 at 11:30 AM

    The Science Chimp knows, but will wait in the wings on her unicycle until someone waves a banana. Eee! Eee! Eee!
    Y'all go!
    What a wonderful quiz bird!

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  7. JayneOctober 6, 2008 at 4:05 PM

    I'm going to guess a juvenile female Rose-breasted Grosbeak???

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  8. JayneOctober 6, 2008 at 4:06 PM

    On second thought, how about a juvenile male towhee??

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  9. TinaOctober 6, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    I agree with Jayne, I think it is a young rose-breasted Grosbeak, I have only had the pleasure of seeing one in my backyard and that was this past Spring and only for a day! Anxious to hear the answer! :)

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  10. Lynne at Hasty BrookOctober 6, 2008 at 9:25 PM

    Good Grief!!
    I'm stumped.

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  11. LauraHinNJOctober 6, 2008 at 9:32 PM

    That beak and spotty wings say rosy grosbeak to me too.

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  12. MaryOctober 6, 2008 at 10:14 PM

    I love quizzes but I'm never correct! Let's see what tomorrow brings. I don't have a clue but the Science Chimp is holding an ace, I'll bet.

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  13. NCmountainwomanOctober 7, 2008 at 9:02 AM

    Thanks for the guesses, and especially for commenting when you haven't a guess. Jayne is kinda, sorta, almost right until she second guesses her answer. I apologize for saying this might be too easy...I was thinking that because I recently posted about a juvenile grosbeak.

    Nice work, everyone!

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  14. KathiOctober 7, 2008 at 9:51 PM

    Ah, man! I came too late to the party, and saw the answer post before the question.

    This means that now I can say: "How easy! I'm surprised more people didn't get the answer. I knew it right away," when in truth, I was clueless.

    Great quiz, even if I missed the fun. That is a good idea, photos of birds that are not in the typical field guide pose.

    ~Kathi

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