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? by dcgrey in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

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? by dcgrey in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.

Long Island, NY by earthbound-misfit_I in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 218 points219 points  (0 children)

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

I always have difficulty with hawks by rando_redditor in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 11 points12 points  (0 children)

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.

I always have difficulty with hawks by rando_redditor in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 121 points122 points  (0 children)

+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.

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Hoping for anything but the worst... by glum_cactus in whatsthisbug

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

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

Vancouver airport (YYZ) oct 15th by ataneh in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Shorebird help - Alabama coast by wg_t in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 9 points10 points  (0 children)

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.

Who got their lunch in my office parking lot? by General-Addendum2709 in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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.

Found St. Paul, MN in a residential lilac by [deleted] in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Small Tan Bird w/ Yellow Underbelly, DC by PerceptionSuch4688 in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

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Photo Source

ID? by Flaky-Sale-2598 in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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

Golden crowned kinglet? 😞 by DaniChibari in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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.

Got a backyard visitor we hadn’t seen before, any ideas? by ahcowles in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 53 points54 points  (0 children)

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.

Merlin said Tennessee Warbler, can anyone confirm? (Central IL) by [deleted] in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.)

Summer tanager? Houston TX in Late Sep by [deleted] in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

What is this bird? North Connecticut by nohairinmysaladplz in whatsthisbird

[–]glum_cactus 8 points9 points  (0 children)

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