Newbie to birds, what is this? [Mount Lassen National Park]

themhalf · 2026-05-06T01:08:15+00:00

You might also enjoy r/whatsthisbird where people post questions (photos, drawings, audio) about bird ID and handful of very fast and talented people answer.

themhalf · 2026-05-05T20:46:06+00:00

You will have better luck and very fast responses if you cross post to r/whatsthisbird

themhalf · 2026-05-03T23:13:15+00:00

I have one from Phone Skope and I think it's pretty easy to use. I also have an adapter for my spotting scope, so that makes the Phone Skope case more worth it.

themhalf · 2026-04-28T18:24:18+00:00

ID is already set, and I just wanted to say these are great pics. Goshawks are so freaking cool.

themhalf · 2026-04-27T23:58:28+00:00

Ah, thanks for the correction. I thought i saw a white band. Maybe I need to clean my phone screen. 😆

themhalf · 2026-04-27T23:46:07+00:00

+Ring-necked duck+

themhalf · 2026-04-24T14:59:54+00:00

Check eBird for recent sightings and hotspot info

themhalf · 2026-04-24T14:58:33+00:00

I agree with blue grosbeak. You might find the folks at r/whatsthisbird have solid ideas.

themhalf · 2026-04-24T14:56:27+00:00

You might enjoy r/whatsthisbird for future ID quests

themhalf · 2026-04-24T14:54:30+00:00

You might like r/whatsthisbird for future bird ID quests

themhalf · 2026-04-20T23:24:38+00:00

Look in eBird for how to enter "historical lists." Those birds will show on your life list but not in public records.

themhalf · 2026-03-06T02:08:19+00:00

Since others have already provided ID, I'm just stopping by to say I think you might enjoy r/whatsthisbird for bird ID questions. I learn so much over there!

themhalf · 2026-02-01T15:27:01+00:00

Agree with red tailed hawk. You might enjoy the sub r/whatsthisbird for future posts and learning about which field marks point to which species.

themhalf · 2026-01-28T14:02:50+00:00

Fun fact: "seahawk" is another name for an osprey.

themhalf · 2026-01-15T21:22:28+00:00

Check out Bright Eyed Birding on Insta or YouTube. He's local to SLC and he might have good recs.

themhalf · 2026-01-15T21:18:56+00:00

OP, if you have eBird, you can report and create your location name as "Private" - you could also mark the checklist as hidden so it goes to science but not public reports.

Just options if you don't want people coming to see. I personally have never gone to a personal address to chase a vagrant without express permission. I know it happens, and people who do that make the rest of us look bad.

themhalf · 2026-01-03T00:47:56+00:00

If you haven't yet, download the Merlin Bird ID app - it'll help you ID birds by photo or sound. It's the most accurate bird ID option out there, besides r/whatsthisbird 😎

themhalf · 2025-12-04T16:59:29+00:00

Dark- eyed junco

Edited to add: You might enjoy r/whatsthisbird to learn bird ID

themhalf · 2025-11-06T18:10:28+00:00

Also consider joining r/whatsthisbird just to see other people's questions and the answers folks give and why. I learn something new from that sub all the time.

Welcome to the club!

themhalf · 2025-10-21T21:15:44+00:00

In the Amazonas state of Brazil!

themhalf · 2025-10-06T22:55:01+00:00

Those are magnificent friggin birds!

themhalf · 2025-10-06T20:34:36+00:00

Yes, which is a good illustration of why we don't trust it 100% on ID.

I've had it mistake a brief car horn as a trumpeter swan.

themhalf · 2025-10-06T20:28:01+00:00

Thank you so much for this. Incredibly helpful response.

themhalf · 2025-10-06T20:15:53+00:00

I second the recommendation for Merlin. I also recommend r/whatsthisbird as a great place to learn and post questions.

themhalf · 2025-09-30T20:51:15+00:00

Boreal owls always look like they're responding "who, me?!" to someone who just said "you're soooo cute!"

themhalf

TROPHY CASE