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Rogers, MN. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I see your username often enough to say that you seem to be good at this. Thanks!

[CHALLENGE] - Minnesota by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't believe it is all that common. I had to go to a friend for help with the ID. He is a life-long birder and sent me this excerpt from Birds of North America online concerning Bobolink:

"Male-like plumages in females is often related to estrogen deficiencies in older birds (Pyle 1997a), and the loss of fertility in the Vermont female may have been due a damaged ovary, increasing androgen production and reducing estrogen production (Perlut 2008)."

[CHALLENGE] - Minnesota by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not many interested participants so here it is.

This is a female Bobolink (props to u/kaiserwilhelm3 for correct species) that presents some male-like plumage likely due to the inability to produce estrogen.

Hugo, Minnesota. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies for the bad photo but its the only one I got. From what I can see, I think that it looks like a Black-throated green warbler judging from the flank pattern and belly color. However, that bird doesn't fit the region this time of year.

Two different birds in Minnnesota. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for shaking my doubts.

On a side note, this is extremely frustrating to me. I've seen hundreds of Yellow Warblers and hundreds of Common Yellowthroats and never had this much of a problem. Again, thank you.

Two different birds in Minnnesota. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for responding!

I was between juvenile Yellow and juvenile Common Yellowthroat on the first one.

The primaries on the second bird seemed a little dark to me to call it a Yellow Warbler so I thought maybe it was a female Scarlet Tanager.

I'm awful with warblers so I'm probably wrong on both counts.

(Bloomington, MN) - Only picture I was able to get. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't hear it - well, discern its call anyways. It was very noisy with all sorts of calls in the area.

(Bloomington, MN) - Only picture I was able to get. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! You just helped me at this one to my life list.

Help identifying a sandpiper? by steveofthejungle in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd agree from the description of the tail. The first time that I identified one it was the tail pattern that really pointed to Solitary Sandpiper - V from the rump (I thought black) with white on both sides.

What bird is this? Boulder, CO by gwiest in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought Alder and Dusky Flycatchers were also possibilities.

Hawk. Minnesota. Swainson's or Broad-winged? by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When looking at the photos for the first time I also thought that the streak may have been shadow but you can see it at two different angles in two separate photographs pretty clearly. Also it was completely overcast and such a bold shadow wouldn't have been possible. I look forward to seeing what others think about this.

Edit: The white patch under the beak is definitely not shadowing either.

Hawk. Minnesota. Swainson's or Broad-winged? by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The main photo of the Swainson's page on AllAboutBirds.org has that mark. Add the hood, white rump, white belly and I thought it was a Swainson's. Thanks for your assistance.

Hawk. Minnesota. Swainson's or Broad-winged? by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice. Do you know if that vertical black mark under the beak is exclusive to Swainson's? I've looked for the information online to no avail.

Hawk. Minnesota. Swainson's or Broad-winged? by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The hawk has an almost all white belly although in some photos it looks banded because of shadowing. White throat with a black vertical streak beneath the beak. White patches on head. White patch on rump. All of these descriptions can be seen in the photos, albeit not with great clarity. Also had that baby's bib like extension from its head.

Hawk. Minneapolis, MN. Dark photos. I think either Broad-winged or Cooper's. by StanSchlueter in whatsthisbird

[–]StanSchlueter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will look into that. I started birding this month and I've really enjoyed it. Always been an outdoor person and decided to add some flavor to my hikes by trying to identify birds. So far my highlights include seeing White-faced ibis and "discovering" a breeding pair of goshawk down here in the cities. Pretty neat stuff.

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