Any bird watchers here? Just saw a beautiful bird I can't identify.

[Nevilledog]

I was sitting on my front porch and heard this beautiful bird song...looked up and on the corner of the garage was a bird I'd never seen before. It was big...like 5 times bigger than a sparrow, twice as big as a blue jay...kinda hefty looking....light grayish tan feathers, some with little spots....and these adorable little light pink patches on its cheeks. I tried searching the Google for pictures but just got a lot of lists of birds. It did not have a big head and in no way looked like a parrot. It had a long pointed beak. Any of you birders have any clue what type of bird this was?

I'm in Northern Arizona, Prescott to be exact.

[Inchworm]

1. 2x as big as a blue jay?

omg! A mutant!

I don't even know where to look in my book hehe.

When you say long beak do you mean long and skinny like it uses it to suck necter from deep inside something, or is it just big like to tear stuff?

Yay! a mission! :)

:hi:

[Nevilledog]

5. Not like to suck nectar.

And I don't know how big blue jays get where you are, but I think what we have here are scrub jays...I'm not a birder and pretty clueless. Bigger than a pigeon, smaller than a crow (of course, we have crows so big here I'm pretty sure they could easily carry off a cat or small dog)

Beak did not resemble a hummingbird type beak, but definitely not parrot like.

[Inchworm]

10. Some blackbirds aren't black in winter

I wonder if it could be a Rusty or Brewer's Blackbird.

That "whatis" site below didn't show or mention the color variation. Is it that body/beak type?

:shrug:

[Nevilledog]

11. Looked up Rusty and Brewer Blackbird.

Nope, not the same body type. I wish I knew the terminology to be able to describe it it. If it shopped at Sears it would buy stuff in the Husky boy section...LOL. It wasn't sleek or steamline (like I consider crows and doves, etc.) It wasn't graceful looking. The most striking thing was the spotted feathers in parts and the pink cheek patches. I've been looking at Whatbird.com and going through their search engine by type and can't find anything close. This is very intriguing. I wish I would have had a camera or cellphone close by. Thanks for trying to figure it out.

[Inchworm]

13. I'll keep guessing, I got all day

Damn getting up at 7am on a Sunday all awake and ready to go! I shoulda drank more and later. Gonna be a drawn out Sunday where time stands still. :rofl:

Red Billed pigeons don't get that far north according to books, but what the hec take a look :P

:)

[Nevilledog]

15. Nope. Not a red-billed pigeon.

And jeez, if you've got all day howzabout you come over and do all my laundry and do the grocery shopping...LOL Oh, and I totally relate to the up early and ready to go. I seem to have lost my ability to sleep in late. Up at 7 here too. Hubby has NO problem sleeping late though...the rat bastard.

[Inchworm]

17. No wait..

I got all day to find stuff to help me avoid doing my laundry, vacuming, dishes, and going grocery shopping.

Slackerness is an art form :P

The birdy has me stumped.

:)

[Nevilledog]

19. Slackerness....nice word.

Today I choose to be a slackernette (although slackerette, minus the 'n' would probably be the appropriate way to feminize the word, I prefer it with the 'n'). The official uniform of the slackernette is whatever shirt and comfy pants were closest to her side of the bed upon wakening. Slippers matching is optional.

Hopefully the birdy will come back and I can take a picture.

[Withywindle]

99. "of course, we have crows so big here I'm pretty sure they could easily carry off a cat or small dog

Like this?






If so, psssst: http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/1691/page/1

[Nevilledog]

101. Yeah...they're HUGE.

I'll have to pay attention to their beaks and see if they're Ravens proper or just big ass crows. They're quite insolent and sometimes you really have to get close to them to make them fly away.

[Withywindle]

138. Yeah, that kind of sounds like ravens too.

They've very smart, and if they've lived around people long enough, they have no fear. Predators aren't much of a concern for them - in the wilderness they even collaborate with wolf packs for meat.

[BarenakedLady]

2. Mourning Dove?

[Nevilledog]

6. Nope, we have tons of doves.

This guy was much rounder and bigger...totally different sort of body and head. Coloring was close though. And the pink patches on its cheeks were small but very noticeable.

[GardeningGal]

3. I'm guessing a Northern Flicker

Is this it?

http://whatbird.wildbird.com/obj/181/_/target.aspx

[Nevilledog]

7. No, that doesn't look like it.

I realize it's an artist rendering, but the coloring was much more along the lines of a dove, very soft, dusty brown/gray. Body doesn't look right either.

[XemaSab]

29. Flickers have that soft dove-color

There is nothing else that comes REMOTELY close to your description.

[Jamastiene]

86. Woodpeckers do. n/t

[XemaSab]

90. Most of the true woodpeckers have a lot of black on them

and are even more boldly marked than a flicker.

Soft colors are not the hallmark of the Piciformes. :shrug:

[Jamastiene]

93. I found this image of a Gila Woodpecker, but the wings still have

too much black and white to be right, I think.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80027845@N00/1180323945/

There are more of them here:
http://www.junglewalk.com/photos/Woodpeckers-pictures-I37.htm

I had never seen one of those before. I've sure enjoyed this thread. :)

[Nevilledog]

102. Those are pretty.

And you're right, too much black and white. I do think I've seen some of those up here when we lived at our last place.

I'm glad you've enjoyed the thread.

[Ladyhawk]

49. Maybe you re-discovered the passenger pigeon! :) nt

[Inchworm]

51. I thought that too

:D

:hi:

[Nevilledog]

58. I looked up pictures of the passenger pigeon.

Wow, what a beautiful bird that was. This birdy did not have a long graceful neck, nor that vivid coloring.

[Ptah]

4. Quail?

XemaSab is my birder of first resort.
I'll send her here when I see her next.

[Nevilledog]

8. Not a quail.

We have TONS of quail here. Love them. They parade all around the front and back yards. However, they are very distinctive with their little bobber on their heads (yeah, I know it's called something else, but I don't know what it is...LOL) Quail song is also very easy to recognize. This bird wasn't a quail...plus, I've never seen a quail go as high as the roof line.

[Ptah]

9. That's why I rely on XemaSab for birder information.

[Nevilledog]

12. Maybe she'll read my screwed up description and know what it is.

I'm clueless about bird terms (which I am not painfully aware of after looking at some bird sites..LOL) Maybe I'll get the chance to see it again and get a picture of it. It was really quite charming. Thanks for trying to figure it out and letting me know XemaSab is the resident expert.

[XemaSab]

.

;)

[vard28]

14. I don't have an answer, but I DO have a question

Is it your turn or mine for our email tag game? LOL! Hello, btw!

[Nevilledog]

16. ((((((((((((((RD)))))))))))))

Hell, who knows....we were gone for 2 weeks to Alb. (I told my sister about how we reconnected and she says Hi...parents were clueless until I said...dammit...she was at OUR wedding for fuck's sake...LOL) How are you feeling??????

[TZ]

18. could it be a Hermit Thrush?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit_Thrush

[Nevilledog]

20. Not big enough, wrong coloring.

And no pink patch on the cheek, or spotted feathers. And it had short legs...you couldn't even see them when it was on the roof. Thanks for trying.

[elehhhhna]

21. escaped parrot. ding ding ding!

[Nevilledog]

23. It wasn't a parrot.

It's head was all wrong. And it's body was much pouffier, stockier. The beak was not a parrot beak. It was straight and pointy. The color was wrong too...it was buff colored, not gray. It's a mystery.

[NYC_SKP]

22. Try Audubon Arizona, links with bird pics, folks you can contact.

http://az.audubon.org/

Unless you find some pictures of birds similar to what you saw, it will be tough for anyone to identify based only on your description.

Good luck!

[Nevilledog]

24. I think you're right.

Hopefully the little bugger will come back. I'm just not versed in the right terminology to describe it enough for identification. I've seen a lot of birds but this one was strikingly different. I hope it comes back.

[NYC_SKP]

25. I hope it comes back, too, and keep a camera handy...

Phone camera, disposable, anything you can get and have handy.

I get a lot of different birds on the river I live on and I bought a book, but it can still be hard to identify one from memory, never mind telling someone about it.

I hope you figure it out and get it to come regularly!

[Nevilledog]

26. I guess I'll have to figure out how to actually take a picture with my phone.

Hubby knows how to so he'll show me. I'm usually on the front porch about the same time every morning...coffee and a cig. I'll post a pic if I ever manage to see it again and get a picture.

[Mrs.Matcom]

27. Could it be a Starling?

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/European_Starling.html

Their feathers are iridescent, and can have a pink or purple sheen to them when the light is right.

[Nevilledog]

38. That's a pretty bird.

I'd love to see one of those around here. Nothing iridescent about this birdy though. It was just a soft buff color.

[Mrs.Matcom]

44. They are funny birds...

a lot of people don't like them because they can clean out a feeder in minutes if you have a large flock. I've watched three land on a suet cake and devour it in minutes. They have a very interesting song. First time I heard it and then saw which bird sang it, I was amazed!

Good luck in finding your bird! :hi:

[Nevilledog]

47. Thank you Mrs. Matcom

I've never tried to have a bird identified before. It's not easy and apparently according to XemaSab I was probably hallucinating...LOL


This time of year it seems like the most prevalent birds around here are crows that I swear are bigger than ponies....LOL

[Mrs.Matcom]

62. Those are some big Crows!! n/t

[Withywindle]

98. I was wondering about that too.

Sounds like ravens to me.


Awrk! Nevermore!

[lukasahero]

113. A lot of people don't like them because they're non-native invasives

who outcompete native species for breeding habitat and food.

[XemaSab]

28. FLICKER!

It might have been a Northern Flicker, or a Gilded Flicker.

But that's DEFINITELY your bird.

[Nevilledog]

37. The Flicker's coloring is WAY too vivid for the bird I saw.

I was bigger than a pigeon, hefty, quite husky, a very soft buff color with some feathers that had little white spots but the entire body was essentially the same color except for the small round pink patch on it's cheeks. I gotta say that the body type is the closest to what I've seen.

Oh, and I know roadrunners. Grew up in New Mexico and have lived in Arizona for over 20 years. This is the first year I saw a couple in my backyard though.

[XemaSab]

41. A few questions:

How long were the legs?

Was it standing flat on its feet, perching, or clinging to the side of the garage?

Are you in town or out in the country?

How long was the beak relative to the size of the bird, and was it straight out or slightly downcurved?

You said it had a pretty song. Can you describe the song?

If it wasn't a flicker, I'm baffled. :shrug:

[Nevilledog]

45. Okay, as much as I can recall.

It was perched on the corner of the roof. It stood up for a second before it flew off and its legs appeared pretty short...not sure if the puffy feathers made them look shorter.

We're in a residential area, but Prescott is considered high desert. We've got just about every type of vegetation, we get snow and get over 100 in the summer.

Beak was in proportion to the head and looked more dagger like (noticed on the whatbird.com site that it classified beaks in that fashion). It was pointed, not hooked in any way.

I just don't think I have the birder vocabulary to describe the song in any way that's going to make sense. It wasn't just a chirp chirp...it was a melody...quite loud.

I really hope I can get a picture of it for you to see. It was enchanting.

[XemaSab]

53. Flickers don't sing a melodic song at all

I am officially totally baffled.

:shrug:

[Nevilledog]

56. I assure you, that wasn't my goal.

You were my only hope, Obi Wan XemaSab...LOL I swear if I find out it was something really stupid I will publicly apologize for perplexing you. (I do promise you that it looked nothing like your last picture..much lighter in color, heavier body, no crown and the cheek patch was light pink..LOL)

[Inchworm]

57. and they don't light on roofs, right?

That's what threw me off on Flickers

:shrug:

[XemaSab]

60. They're woodpeckers, but they're weird

They'll hang out on roofs, lawns, and anywhere else they feel like.

[elana i am]

30. Bendire's Thrasher?

i couldn't find a pic of one with light pink patches, but i did read a description that threre could be a light pink patch at the base of it's beak.

[Nevilledog]

39. It didn't have those long tailfeathers.

The color is closer though...it was perhaps a bit more gray. How big does a Thrasher get?

[XemaSab]

31. Doing a page-by-page, this is your other option:

[TZ]

32. Beep Beep!

I would love to see one of those guys....

[XemaSab]

33. The first time I ever saw one

that's exactly what I said. ;)

[XemaSab]

34. And what did the song sound like?

Was it a "peer, peer," a "wucka-wucka-wucka-wucka," a descending "coo, coo, coo" or something totally different? :shrug:

[Nevilledog]

40. Oh, man....that's hard to describe in words.

It was a song...not a coo,coo....not a wucka-wucka-wucka (I'd like to hear that sometime though...LOL) It was sweet, and clear and it's what made me turn my head to look...and there it was about 10 ft away on the edge of the roof. I'm no help...I know.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

35. was it this?.....

and you can listen to its song here: http://bucksbirdcam.com/birdseen.htm

[Nevilledog]

42. Nope.

But that's a bad ass looking bird...LOL This bird was mono-tonal except for the slightly lighter spots on the tips of the wing feathers and the pink patch of the cheek. And it was a patch...how can I explain it...think little old lady putting on blush without the benefit of a mirror...LOL

[ElsewheresDaughter]

36. CALLING....... Maestro!

[XemaSab]

43. Did it look like this?

'Cause this bird does not exist. x(

[Nevilledog]

46. ROFL

I really hope I can get a picture. And I hope I don't turn out to be a complete idiot about what it was...LOL. It was, however, after I had my first cup of coffee so I was awake.

[blaze]

48. The first bird I thought of was

a cockatiel!! But I know that isn't big enough... and it doesn't have a pointed beak...

You have me really curious!

[Nevilledog]

52. I've been around parrots, this wasn't one.

The beak was all wrong, as was the coloring. Too much on the brown side of buff. Maybe the neighborhood randy pigeon got jiggy with a parrot...LOL

[blaze]

54. LOL n/t

[mopinko]

50. can't help you but

now ya got me curious, too.

[Nevilledog]

55. Wish I knew some locals with birder expertise.

I'll have to ask around tomorrow and see if anyone in the area has a clue.

[nytemare]

59. Try this website.

http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx

[Nevilledog]

61. That's the site I was looking at.

I went through all it's questions in trying to identify it but it kept coming up with birds that were way too different from the one I saw. I must say though that I never realized there were SO many different types of birds. I can see why becoming a birder would be quite an obsessive hobby.

[Mrs.Matcom]

63. What about this bird?

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Swainsons_Thrush.html

[Nevilledog]

68. Nope.

Too small. Bird's entire body was the tan buff color except for little white spots on the end of the feathers around the wings (that's the only place I remember seeing the spots). Plus, that one's too small and don't think it lives in my area.

[Mrs.Matcom]

64. Cave Swallow?

ok this is going to drive me nuts! :rofl:

[Inchworm]

66. LoL

This thread (and messing with Graywarrior) is what I keep coming back to.

I must know! If not I'm sticking with my first guess...a mutant :D

:hi:

[Nevilledog]

71. I'm starting to think you were right.

We could ended the thread right there....it's a mutant parrot/passsenger pigeon.

[Nevilledog]

69. Ooooh. That one's pretty.

But it's too small, not all one color and the beak is way too small. The body shape and fluffiness is closer though. Didn't see it's feet, but those are kinda scary looking..LOL

[vard28]

67. Jesus, Pete!

You haven't had that damn bird identified YET? You realize now you've made ME curious and as the Queen of Surf, I am obligated to start surfing for an answer for you!

I'm well. Feelin' much better and a lot more mobile. First week back at work kicked my ASS, big time. Took it pretty easy this weekend 'cept for getting up at 5:30 AM yesterday to take rd jr to steer weigh-in. He's not showing a steer, but he's gonna help his cousin show hers, as well as helping her with her new white heifers. Those are female cow from 1-3 years old that haven't had a calf (aka baby cow) yet.

Also, we've got a 3 day old Jersey heifer calf that is so damn cute I can't stand it. Her mom's name is Candy. All of her calves have been named after candy of some sort - Butterfinger, Peanut (well, he didn't get a candy named 'cause he was a boy and had "nuts"!)Caramel, Almond Joy. I got to help name our newest little girl. We're calling her Kit Kat. Her registered name will be J-Team Action Kit Kat. I'll put a photo up in about a half hour.

We're finishing RD Jr's Family Heritage project for his Teen Living class.

Glad your sister remembered me. Just remind your folks that I was one of the FUN fuckin' people at the wedding... LOL! That should do the trick!

[Nevilledog]

70. Glad you're recuperating....I just gotta guess that was painful.

My sister definitely remembered you from more than just the wedding...she remembered me going out to see you, etc. My folks hardly remember Brian and I being at the wedding...LOL

All that stuff TJ is doing and everything you do to help just makes me tired reading it, course you always were going 24/7.

I'm guessing that Kit Kat will end up being a Whopper in the future? Just don't think I could keep eating meat if I'd ever had to name it.

Nothing much is going on here...same ole, same ole...except going back to work from our first 2 weeks off in years really sucked.

[vard28]

77. We don't eat the dairy cows!

We just milk 'em, breed 'em, and show 'em! RD jr's got a LOT of catchin' up to do with you to bring you up to speed on bein' a TRUE redneck!

[Nevilledog]

80. Whew....glad to hear you're not gonna eat Kit Kat.

But will she give chocolate milk? LOL

[nytemare]

74. There was a funny bird I saw that I was trying to find

I had the same luck as you.

[Nevilledog]

103. Unless it comes back I guess this will remain a mystery also. n/t

[jpak]

65. Did it make a sound like someone rattling a can of plums???

:evilgrin:

[Nevilledog]

72. I'm sure that's some kinda inside joke.

I guess I'm past my naptime cause I don't get it...LOL

[mopinko]

73. i suspect that what you saw was a bird in winter plumage.

if it had a pretty song, chances are that it's breeding/summer plumage is also bright. but the very flashy birds usually wear drab feathers while migrating. you need a very good birding guide to see both sets of feathers.
as you look at pictures, look for something flashier than what you saw. the cheek patches should be more pronounced, and the body brighter. those spots on the tail are likely bigger/brighter.
most of the sweet singers i know are small (warblers). and i have no idea what you might have there in the desert. but maybe it is something like a mocking bird.

[Nevilledog]

79. Could be.

I've just never seen any bird that size around here. We get lots of scrub jays, sparrows, finches, doves, quail...etc...but nothing this size and shape, no matter what the color. I have learned an important lesson though. Never ask for help identifying a bird without a picture...too many of us are obsessive compulsive about trying to solve a mystery...LOL

[XemaSab]

75. After long and sober thought

I think you saw a mutant.

There are only about four birds with red or pink cheek patches, and none of them match the rest of the bird. I once saw an odd bird that had pink cheek patches, and it turned out to be a total mutant.

Also remember that bird feathers can show different amounts of wear at different times of the year, making the white tips on the bird smaller or larger than they would typically be.

As an outside possibility, it might have been an individual that was paler or darker than other members of the species. The beak might have been misshapen. It also could have been an escaped cage bird.

Without a picture or more information, I can't guess what this bird was.

[Inchworm]

76. Woohoo!

Do I win a car? :rofl:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8402237&mesg_id=8402247

:silly:

[Nevilledog]

82. My hubby will give you his.

He's currently conspiring with his Saturn to pretend it needs a new transmission because he wants a new Saturn Sky. I think he's promised it something nefarious because it's playing along with his dastardly plan and won't shift into second.

[Nevilledog]

81. I'm willing to settle for mutant.

It was pretty no matter what it was and I'm glad I saw it. Rest assured I will never ask for identification again without a picture...LOL It was kinda fun to see all the pictures of the other birds though so it wasn't a totally useless thread. Thanks for helping me try and figure it out.

[hunter]

87. Wouldn't a non-local be more likely?

Someone visiting from Siberia or somewhere...

Even a hybrid.

It soulnds like a thrasher of some sort, maybe, just for the voice, and I saw a picture of one somewhere in my searches with a bit of pink on it, but now I can't find it!

[XemaSab]

88. Frankly

a local would be more likely.

It's too far north and a weird time of year for a Mexican, and an odd place for a Russian.

Horses are more common than zebras. :shrug:

[Nevilledog]

104. LOL... not sure Prescott is on most visiting Siberian's must see list.

It seems the pink patch really is the oddity here. I was outside this morning and it didn't come back to visit...sigh.

[vard28]

78. MYSTERY SOLVED!

Ptah gets the gold star! Here's your bird!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8403329

[mopinko]

83. have you checked the local lists?

there are lots of old fashioned listservers out there that keep track of odd sightings. sounds like something they would be interested in.

[Nevilledog]

105. Not sure it would be helpful without a picture.

If I can get one and we can't figure it out then I think that would be a good idea. I did Google a bit and found lots of lists of birds but since I'm bird ignorant the names mean nothing without pictures...LOL

[mopinko]

132. if you can find one for your immediate area

and this is a rare wanderer, they will be all abuzz.

[Nevilledog]

134. How likely is it that it will ever come my way again?

I'm just doubtful that my limited knowledge of the terminology to really describe this bird would be helpful to anyone. Certainly it has failed with all the knowledgeable people here. Can I even hope that it will pass this way again?

[mopinko]

136. well, welcome to the world of birding.

it can be a very frustrating hobby.

my point about the lists, tho, is that someone on the lists might also have seen it. even if it isn't a wanderer or a mutant, there might be some posts about it from experienced birders. a good list will make mention of even the ordinary birds that are seen.

but hey, it's been a fun thread, anyway.

[Nevilledog]

150. I'm pretty sure I don't have the attention span to be a birder.

I'm a serious sufferer of the "easily distracted by bright shiny things and loud noises" kinda gal. Can you explain to me more about what these "lists" are and where I should look for them? I asked around yesterday but nobody was a birder or knew anybody who was. I guess lawyers up here are too one-dimensional...LOL

[mopinko]

153. google by county.

not sure how well this sort of thing shows up on the google, but there are a lot of them out there. maybe there are even some that have slicker software. i know a pet bird board that i used to post on has really spiffed it up recently.
anyway, they are usually county or even city based, and just post and mail bulletins of people's sightings. when something rare is spotted, the word goes out. so, if you have something unusual, there would be some buzz. hell, they probably use twitter by now.
check out this google just to show you what kind of stuff is out there just based on this one hot spot here in chicago. ok, this is a world famous hot spot, but still. there must be some from your area out there like this.
another thing that might lead you to one is to look for a local christmas bird count. any birding community worth their salt does a christmas count.

[Nevilledog]

154. Found one that looked promising.

Til I noticed it hadn't been updated since 2007.

http://www.prescottaudubon.org/psightings.htm

It did mention Christmas Bird counts which I totally don't understand and which sounds to me like counting how many turkeys are stocked in the grocery store...LOL

I shall keep looking. Thanks for the tips.

[mopinko]

155. i suspect the tradition is about getting away from the family, but

maybe that's just me. :-P
people go out and make a list of every bird they see in a particular period of time. usually you are looking for something that you have never seen. but a census is just that. every pigeon and sparrow. usually people go out in groups at dawn.
it is actually a long tradition, and a very valuable record of bird populations.

[Nevilledog]

157. You learn something new every day. This is my new thing for today..LOL

I've never heard of such a thing. Sounds like a good time to have big thermoses of Bailey's and Coffee, screw counting the birds..LOL

[ElboRuum]

84. ZOMG!!11!!! ITZ THE BERD OF TEH APOCKYCLIPS!!!

Seriously, I don't think it's of this earth. I for one welcome our new avian overlords.

[Nevilledog]

106. That must be it.

At least it was cuddly looking, and for a bird that's something in my book. Maybe it will be a kindler, gentler apocalypse than we expected.

[Jamastiene]

85. It sounds like some sort of woodpecker.

Maybe if you search for woodpeckers in your area, you can identify it that way.

Here is one to look at:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Arizona_Woodpecker_dtl.html

It could be a male Arizona Woodpecker. I'm convinced it is some kind of woodpecker. I love those birds.

[XemaSab]

89. I love woodpeckers

I have seen all the North American woodpeckers except Ivory Bill. :shrug:

[Jamastiene]

91. Have you seen a red cockaded woodpecker?

Where? I live so close to what I have read is one of the largest populations in the country (Fort Bragg). Yet, I haven't seen one. I thought I did once, but I could not confirm it. The bathroom window (where I did a lot of my winter bird watching) was fogged up. If I had wiped it, I was scared that would have scared it away. So, I careened my neck and tried my best. I was pretty sure, but not 100% certain. It DID have the little small red spot behind the eye there.

I miss getting to actively feed the birds in the backyard since we moved here. We are on such a tight budget now. I still watch a lot, but cannot feed them (and the squirrels, including the large colony of white squirrels in this area).

That may be changing for at least the ruby throated hummingbirds. My aunt and I have agreed to get at least get one hummingbird feeder and keep it stocked with a little sugar water per day. The reason for that is that I have a lot of bees here and we don't want that fungus to kill them when they swarm up to the feeder to drink too. So, I'll keep it cleaned out and fresh unlike what I did in the past at our old place when it seemed that I was running a saloon for bees, wasps, and hummingbirds to get drunk.

My most favorite rare birds (and raptors) that I have seen were a white dove (partially colored like regular mourning doves but mostly white), a bald eagle, and a barred owl, that flew right over my head one night in the backyard at the old place. My all time favorites are still the woodpeckers and juncos.

[XemaSab]

94. Weymouth Woods

There's a loop trail that's supposed to be a gimme for them.

I set out from the nature center before dawn, and I hiked the whole trail.

I was 200 feet from the nature center on the way back and I found a whole family.

Check that place out. It worked for me. ;)

[Jamastiene]

96. That is really close to where I live.

It's in the county just northeast of us, about 35 miles away. Thank you! I will plan a trip there in the spring. :woohoo:

[Nevilledog]

118. Woodpecker didn't even pop into my mind when I saw it.

The body shape and the way it was sitting were all wrong in my mind. I always think of woodpeckers as having the deportment of a strict teacher...very stiff and upright..LOL This birdy was downright cuddly looking and perched very horizontal, like it lounging.

[mopinko]

129. woodpeckers aren't singers

that i know of.

[Nevilledog]

130. That's true too... at least now that I'm learning.

At our old house we had one that found the Southeast corner of our house just amazingly appetizing and would peck away. It took us a couple days of him making his racket to figure out what it was....when you live in a house over 100 years old you're always hearing weird noises and expecting the worse, not a pesky bird banging on it...LOL

[Arugula Latte]

92. It's a penguin.

Yep, definitely a penguin.

You're welcome. :hi:

[Nevilledog]

108. Hmmmm......

Now that I think about it....... Nope, not buying the penguin i.d. LOL

[petronius]

95. Anything like this?

Not much pink, but at least it's stocky and drab...

[Nevilledog]

109. Not big enough and the beak was not curved at all.

And it really didn't have scary glow in the dark orange eyes....shiiiiiiver.

The color is close, but not drab enough....or I guess light enough is the better way to say it. And this thing was way stockier than that one...but some of the bulk may have been the pouffy feathers.

[vard28]

114. So here's a REAL bird to compare

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/474/overview/Grasshopper_Sparrow.aspx

[Nevilledog]

117. Compare it to what? LOL

RD, you haven't been paying attention..LOL Way too small, beak is all wrong, coloring is totally wrong. I think you just like that it had Grasshopper in the name...LOL

[vard28]

119. LOL!

Hell, I figured I'd just start puttin' up bird links eventually one of 'em HAS to be what you saw! :rofl:

[Nevilledog]

123. Did you see how many different birds there are?

This thread will stretch to eternity and beyond if you're gonna post every damn bird on it...LOL You could at least limit it to birds that actually live in my region of the world....LOL

[snowbear]

97. Zis it?

.
.
.



..

[XemaSab]

100. A "dagger-like" bill?

I think you've got it nailed.

[Nevilledog]

107. Well..... the size and the fluffiness is right...but the color....

It was more the color of Snuffleupagus. And it's singing didn't contain any words, rhyming or otherwise.

[vard28]

110. Then it can't be

a Sesame Street resident. They almost always rhyme.

[Nevilledog]

111. Yeah, RD.... you're right.

And nothing about the alphabet or numbers...but....what if Big Bird and Snuffleupagus had a Mrs. Brady/Greg thing going on....and maybe they let Elmo put soft pink blush on the little thing....that's a distinct possibility.

[vard28]

112. See that makes MUCH more sense!

But to have a true confirmation, I would think that it would have made more sense if your little birdie friend had been perched on your trash can. I'm sure Oscar probably had somethin' to do with the whole deal.

[Nevilledog]

115. He was probably Big Bird's pimp n/t

[vard28]

116. This little guy is kinda colorful, and another REAL bird

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/612/overview/Lark_Sparrow.aspx

[Nevilledog]

120. You're a hoot.

You've given up even trying but just picking out birds that are pretty...LOL I will give it to you though, that is a pretty little bird. (still, not even CLOSE, except it's a bird)

However, my perhaps IMAGINARY bird was much prettier...hmmmmmphf.

[vard28]

121. A HOOT?

Well why the hell didn't you SAY so? That's easy enough, it's a fuckin' OWL! Sheesh!

[Nevilledog]

122. We actually do have owls around here, although I've only seen one.

Have a friend who had her cat snatched off their deck by an owl. This story, told with great grisly detail, was told during a relaxing dinner party. Quite disturbing. They also had one of their dogs taken from the backyard by a bobcat. I don't think they should be allowed to have any more pets, at least not little ones.

[vard28]

124. Sounds like

they better not have kids either! They stay small for a while and could easily be carried away.

Nice folks y'all hang out with. :rofl:

Camlash has a lot of time on his hands. We should put him on this identification duty. Give him somethin' to keep him busy!

[Nevilledog]

125. I can only imagine what he'd turn up.

Gary would be posting pics of hawks and eagles and other birds he thought were manly....LOL

[vard28]

126. Funny!

Yeah, no girly birds for him! Cripes, can you tell I do NOT want to do any work today? We just had a stupid fire drill in 29 degree weather. That sure helped wake me up, but didn't make me want to come back in and do work.

[Nevilledog]

127. I wondered why you weren't working...now I know...LOL

I don't have court til 10:30 which is a rare and wonderful thing as far as Monday is usually concerned. I will however be stuck there until well after 5 being held hostage by the world's slowest judge this afternoon. Only he can take 3 hours to do a stupid plea and sentencing on a one count plea and a stipulated sentence....sigh.

[mopinko]

131. you just cost me $20. what a great site.

ibird. that is just what i need to make me not sorry i ever bought this stupid phone.

great website.

looking around there, i had an idea of what it could be- a towhee. are there any in that range. that would fit the size and the song.

[Nevilledog]

135. Sorry bout the $20...LOL

Seems like some towhees might be in this area but the coloration of the ones I looked is still off. After reading what everyone has to say I'm strongly leaning towards mutant...LOL

[Sequoia]

142. What a cool site. Thanks!

Was this the bird in question?

[semillama]

128. Ok, I'll take a stab at it.

To recap all the info you have provided:

Size: Smaller than a crow, bigger than a jay. Stocky appearance.
Plumage: Drab grayish-tan with white spots at ends of flight feathers, little pinkish patches on cheeks. Tail was not long
Song: Melodic
Behavior: Perched on garage.

Now, no offense, but one thing that should be taken into account with "mystery" birds is that it's not uncommon to really overestimate the size of the bird when it seems unusual. Another thing is that sometimes faint colors on some birds are actually a trick of the light, and can be a result of reflected colors from nearby objects.

Here's a couple guesses:

Rock Wren


Clay-Colored Robin, Juvenile


If those aren't it, I'd say go back in your memory and write down everything you can remember, starting with the bill and ending with the tail, including shape and color (for example, for the head: Bill shape, length, color; eye color; color of feathers on top of head, cheeks and throat). Use a bird you are familiar with and similar in body shape to use as a comparison. Hopefully you'll come up with something that will nail it!

[Nevilledog]

133. Those pictures don't look like the bird.

And certainly no offense taken for what you had to say. I can't remember the eye color because I wasn't looking for it and I didn't realize what an important thing it can be in identification. The size however was a standout. We have HUGE crows here so the fact that it was smaller is not as big a thing to me, but it was larger than a pigeon to be sure. It was only about 10 feet away from me and was in full sunlight (about 8 a.m.) Since I've never really taken much notice of birds its appearance was different enough to really catch my attention. I've tried to put down as much as I remember but I sure would love to see it again to see if I was really off in any part of my description.

The only colors I noticed on the bird were the baby pink circles on it's cheeks and the white spots on the ends of the feathers which I think were limited to the wings.

I have a really vivid picture of it in my mind now, but realizing the weaknesses of human memory I'd love to be able to test it by seeing it again. In my ignorance I really thought its size, coloring and pink cheeks would be enough for someone to nail the identity. Oh, how ignorant I was about that...LOL

[semillama]

139. Regarding your huge crows

Are you sure you don't mean Ravens? They are significantly bigger than crows but look superficially similar.

Regarding your bird: The ONLY bird with pink cheeks I can find is the Chaffinch, but none of the other characteristics match.

You're absolutely certain that it had a melodic song? I don't know that there could be any birds with melodic songs larger than a jay.

I don't know. I'm going to through out two more possibilities just to be crazy, but otherwise I'm stumped.

Juvenile Vermillion Flycatcher:


Sprague's Pipit:


You can try asking these guys, too - they're really good!

http://10000birds.com/the-10000-birds-clinic

[Nevilledog]

145. Are Ravens that common?

I mean there are TONS of them here. They're beautiful from afar but pretty creepy up close.

Those pictures don't look like the bird but I do like the fluffy Flycatcher...LOL

I really thought the pink cheek thingy would make it easy to identify the bird. Shows you how much I know.

I emailed this thread to the 10000 bird place....let's see if they have any ideas. Thanks for the addy.

[Jamastiene]

156. Maybe it's wearing rouge.

:P

[Nevilledog]

158. It needs a makeover if that's the case.

Like I said somewhere else in this thread it really did look like a little old lady putting on blush without a mirror. A perfect little circle of baby pink with no blending...LOL

[XemaSab]

140. That would usually be a sufficient description

The problem is that nothing really matches it. :shrug:

[Poiuyt]

137. Barn swallow

You'd have to have seen Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation to appreciate that

[Nevilledog]

146. Saw it a million years ago, but don't remember the barn swallow thingy. n/t

[AngryAmish]

141. A mixed bird, found in a cabin in the woods

ask ASchwartznegger

[Nevilledog]

147. Think it could be Oscar's pet? n/t

[AngryAmish]

151. More likely one of his friends

[Nevilledog]

152. I don't know.....

This bird was awfully pretty and cuddly...seemed more like a pet. Who knows though, Oscar IS quite the charmer.

[eppur_se_muova]

143. Cassin's Finch?

mostly based on the range, and pink splashes ...



http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cassins_Finch_dtl.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/finchIDtable.html

[Nevilledog]

148. Nope, too skinny, wrong color and wrong beak.

And the ONLY pink color was on the cheek. That bird kinda looks like it had a hummingbird feeder pee all over it...LOL

[Jamastiene]

144. Did you ever find out what kind of bird it was?

I'm still curious but all tapped out on what I think it could be.

[Nevilledog]

149. Nope.

At this point I doubt we'll ever figure it out unless the little bugger visits again and I can get a picture. I'll just have to chalk it down to a sweet momentary interlude on a Sunday morning.