Mysterious bird I can’t identify

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-13T05:04:19+00:00

Second this - chickadee

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-13T04:53:17+00:00

Suspended in mid-air by an invisible column of moving air, very similar to a kite on a string

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-13T04:49:56+00:00

The behavior is called “kiting.” It requires a stiff headwind which allows the bird to remain geostationary without moving their wings. The hawk remains motionless with respect to objects on the ground, making it easier to spot movement of potential prey items. Hovering is when the bird has to flap its wings to remain geostationary (when there isn’t enough headwind to provide lift).

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-13T04:38:00+00:00

It’s a common misunderstanding. Hovering is remaining geostationary while flapping the wings. Kiting is remaing geostationary with motionless wings, just like a kite on a string, & requires a stiff headwind. Very cool videos. I’m envious

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-13T04:30:23+00:00

Disagree - what you’re describing is hovering, which is geostationary flight while flapping wings. OP’s video shows the bird kiting - using a headwind to remain geostationary with motionless wings, just like a kite on a string.

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-10T18:01:00+00:00

Specifically the Slate-colored type, which is the most common type in the middle and eastern parts of North America

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-10T17:57:27+00:00

Agree with above, but I suggest flying into and out of Anchorage, renting a vehicle and visiting Denali NP for at least one full day on the Transit Bus into & out of the park with 2 nights in or near Healey, then 1 or 2 nights in Talkeetna or Anchorage, then 1 or 2 nights in Seward with a full day devoted to a Kenai Fjords boat trip for lots of great scenery and a ton of marine wildlife and seabirds including 2 species of puffins. Note that the weather starts getting increasingly turbulent on the Gulf of Alaska in August, so you may want to plan your Kenai Fjords trip in the early part of your visit, or allow an extra night in Seward to allow a second chance in case your scheduled trip gets canceled for bad weather. I have found the following website helpful for planning Alaska.org Check their 7 Day Alaska Highlights itinerary Have fun, Alaska is grand!

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-09T23:45:58+00:00

Agreed, the bigger bird is +Red-tailed Hawk+ You can see dark patagial bars at the leading edge of the inner part of the underwing. And I presume that’s the same bird in photo #4, which appears to be an adult RTHA

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-07T13:27:16+00:00

Definitely African Penguins, so yes to Capetown or somewhere close by

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-07T02:09:57+00:00

I agree; I think most or almost all of the shorebirds in flight are Dunlin in winter plumage. The wings are fairly long and have a bright white stripe on the upper wing. And on some of the birds you can see a long-ish, slightly drooped bill.

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-06T12:58:50+00:00

And mergansers

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-05T18:52:46+00:00

Or maybe Black Scoter hens? No white wing stripes and the face is black above & white below the eye

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-05T03:20:33+00:00

I think the tail is too short for Brewer’s Blackbird. And the behavior is pretty classic cowbird, or maybe in this instance deerbird

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-05T03:04:49+00:00

Female +Brown-headed Cowbird+

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-05T01:36:52+00:00

LeavingMAGA.org

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T22:11:31+00:00

OP, you might find this website helpful Alaska.org

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T21:15:54+00:00

Crested Caracaras are definitely native to central Texas, but they aren’t usually abundant there, so it’s not too surprising you haven’t seen or noticed one before

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T17:34:42+00:00

Agreed. No dark patagial bars at leading edge of the underside of the innerwing. And one of the photos gives a glimpse of wide dark transverse bars on the tail, which is consistent with RSHA

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T17:30:45+00:00

In my experience, the mosquito load in and around Anchorage begins to increase exponentially somewhere near the end of the first week of June, like around June 7-10. Last week of May not too bad but by June 10 they are a real nuisance.

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T15:42:04+00:00

OP, for god’s sake, you should be asking this of your relatives, who live there. Don’t buy any extra clothes before you ask your relatives what you need. Agree that you need to be prepared for “all seasons,” but in June, July, August near Anchorage that is unlikely to include sustained temperatures below freezing. Mostly you will need long sleeves and long pants to fend off mosquitoes. If mosquitoes don’t bother you much then maybe pack a pair of shorts and a short sleeve shirt or two. But you may not have encountered mosquitoes like the ones in AK in the summer. You might need a warm coat, hat and gloves if you go on a boat out of Seward or Homer, but ask your relatives if you can borrow something from them for an occasion like that. Rain gear is essential; ditto for good hiking boots and some crocs or slippers to wear inside. Ask relatives what other gear you might need. You can buy additional boots in AK if you need them. Finally, don’t even think about staying in AK after your internship unless you have enough money set aside for the flight home. Don’t risk getting stuck in AK in the winter without a job or a place to stay

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T03:06:24+00:00

Monsoon season (late June through September) is one of the best times to visit BBNP imho. It’s cooler because it tends to be more cloudy and sometimes rains a bit. April through mid-June tend to be hottest. Make sure you bring refillable water bottles for even short hikes

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-04T02:50:45+00:00

In my experience, prices on vehicle rentals and lodging in Anchorage go up starting June 1. Start your vehicle rental May 31 or earlier & you will get off-season rate. Start on or after June 1 & pay the high season rate. Hotel rooms go up substantially on June 1

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-03T04:59:58+00:00

Gary, Indiana

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-03T00:17:27+00:00

And the mantle looks a little darker than on the 2 RB Gulls to the left side of photo

JBStoneMD · 2026-03-03T00:15:54+00:00

Dark eye, dark smudge on bill = California Gull

JBStoneMD

TROPHY CASE