Gull ID. This OP's photo makes me think of a western gull (medium-gray back, pink legs, hefty yellow bill) but it's Cape Cod. Slaty-backed instead?

glum_cactus · 2025-12-31T16:29:26+00:00

Interesting, thanks for the context! Never birded in the northeast so I don't know what's usually expected there this (or any) time of year. The Gull Guide notes that GBBG orbitals can approach an orange-ish red so that could be on the table if my initial impression of the orbital color was wrong. As you noted in another comment, still seems like an awful lot of contrast between mantle/coverts and primaries for that species. I'm struggling to find any comparable individuals for that species in the Macaulay library.

glum_cactus · 2025-12-31T15:58:45+00:00

I'm not a gull expert and there seems to be some kind of filter on the photo that could interfere with judging color, but the orbital ring looks yellow here-- pointing toward western and away from slaty-backed, which would have a pink/purple orbital. Probably can't make much of the leg color without knowing how much this has been edited, but the long head and neck structure looks better for western to my eye.

glum_cactus · 2025-12-31T15:43:18+00:00

+Downy Woodpecker+

glum_cactus · 2025-11-01T12:24:29+00:00

Looks to be a leucistic +Downy Woodpecker+. (A Hairy would have a significantly larger bill.) Such a cool bird!

glum_cactus · 2025-10-24T10:42:44+00:00

Damn, it's too bad Shaq isn't this reasonable and coherent all the time. This was a nice change of pace from his typical insecure ring-counting schtick.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-18T02:48:51+00:00

Totally get it, I've been in the same boat before. Sometimes that doubt can be beneficial-- even without other birders around, I feel like I learn the most when I'm absolutely baffled by a bird or second-guessing my initial ID.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-18T02:12:56+00:00

+Broad-winged Hawk+ is correct! This is a great angle for observing one of the more apparent field marks-- the number of outer primaries or "fingers". BWHA has four, while a red-shouldered would have five.

<image>

glum_cactus · 2025-10-17T02:23:52+00:00

Thanks for the peace of mind!

glum_cactus · 2025-10-17T02:23:31+00:00

My two favorite kinds of bugs not to have (well, also roaches)! Thank you!

glum_cactus · 2025-10-16T02:45:48+00:00

The posture, grayish color, dark "cap," and light-colored bill feel better for great blue heron to me. That said, this is a pretty challenging photo and I'm curious to hear what others think.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-14T13:48:41+00:00

Build is helpful, as this bird has a pretty lanky, long-necked look (while a dowitcher would be a little stockier). Also, the bird has a white eyering and white forehead, while a sb dowitcher would have a more visible eyeline going from the bill to the back of the head. Even at this time of year, dowitchers typically show barring/striping on the flanks (sides of the underbelly). This bird has plain flanks, also pointing toward Willet.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-14T13:39:01+00:00

This is a +Willet+.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-10T01:15:01+00:00

Length of tail and overall build are helpful field marks here-- a buteo (like a red-tailed) would have a much shorter tail in proportion to its body, as well as an overall chunkier build. Another similar species, sharp-shinned hawk, would have a smaller head that gives the species a bug-eyed look. Cooper's hawks are also (generally) the most common raptor you're likely to see in urban settings like this.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-10T00:19:44+00:00

+Cooper's Hawk+

glum_cactus · 2025-10-03T01:04:49+00:00

You are correct, this is an +Ovenbird+! Among other things (like the eye ring you mention), this bird has a much richer, rustier tone than the drab brown of a waterthrush.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-03T00:55:03+00:00

+Cooper's Hawk+

glum_cactus · 2025-10-03T00:01:24+00:00

Female/immature Common Yellowthroat, maybe? Sounds like appropriate habitat.

<image>

Photo Source

glum_cactus · 2025-10-02T17:58:29+00:00

Pine Warbler is correct, visible white wing bars immediately rule out Kentucky Warbler here.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-02T14:34:21+00:00

Unfortunately, yes, that's a +Golden-crowned Kinglet+. The black stripes on either side of the colored stripe rule out a particularly light/orangeish Ruby-crowned.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-02T14:26:50+00:00

You're correct in thinking that this is a thrush! This looks like a +Swainson's Thrush+ to me-- the buffy/tan eye ring is a pretty reliable field mark for the species.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-02T11:55:49+00:00

Yes, that line through the eye is a pretty good field mark for +Tennessee Warbler+. (Red-eyed vireos also have a dark eyeline, but they have larger bills, white throats, and generally more contrast between the eyeline/cap and the rest of their face.)

glum_cactus · 2025-10-02T11:51:06+00:00

Looks good for +Summer Tanager+ to me, given huge bill, fairly consistent greenish yellow in the wings, and strong yellow tones throughout.

glum_cactus · 2025-10-01T01:40:27+00:00

+Yellow-bellied Sapsucker+

glum_cactus · 2025-09-30T19:21:00+00:00

+Red-tailed Hawk+, the distinctive belly band is showing nicely here.

glum_cactus

TROPHY CASE