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Don't know what this one is

10 years ago

Mercer County, IL. Very rural. Mixed forest and prairie and farming. Shot from a distance. I thought it's head was tufted. Brightening the photo which may alter it untrue, there appears to be yellow on the upper breast. Could just be as I said an untrue altering. Unfortunately I shot these photos at a distance and almost due west toward the setting sun.

Original photo: Now I'd: Male Dickcissel

Zoomed in w/o blurring it. Now I'D: Male Dickcissel
{{gwi:500348}}

You can click on the photo and then click on the magnifier a few times to keep enlarging it. I didn't know photobucket did that until the other day. So I'm mentioning it.

Thanks much,

Dax

This post was edited by gardener365 on Wed, May 22, 13 at 10:25

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Comments (13)

MarcusFinch
10 years ago
You might well be looking at a Goldfinch there my friend, if it's still in the area you could try and bring it closer for a better look with some different kinds of feed, i'll ad a useful link to soemwhere you can get them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bird Foods
TulsaRose
10 years ago
Dax, I took the liberty of editing your image and you can see a little more detail in this shot. I'm curious, too, but I don't think it is a Goldfinch.
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MarcusFinch
10 years ago
I'm thoroughly stumped, I love the plumage but it's making me think of many different species that donw have a beak like the bird in the picture.
gardener365
Original Author
10 years ago
It's twice the height of a Goldfinch and it's much broader. It's a medium size bird, not as tall as a cardinal but wider in the belly. I appreciate the guesses and the help!

Dax
tmff
10 years ago
This is a Dickcissel. Male. Lovely bird.
rebeccah_2009
10 years ago
TMFF is right. It's a Dickcissel. Lucky you! We rarely see them here anymore.
gardener365
Original Author
10 years ago
You guys nailed it!

A response just came in from a professor at the college my Mom works at:

"Hi Dax, this is a male Dickcissel. The name is derived from what humans might hear in the male's song. They just got into town a few weeks ago and are starting to set up territories for breeding."

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it.

Dax
tmff
10 years ago
Dax, here on the Great Plains they are one of my favorite summertime bird species. Enjoy! Their song kind of signifies summertime for me. I just adore 'em.
gardener365
Original Author
10 years ago
I'll be on the lookout now and my ear to the wind!

Cheers, everyone...

Dax
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
10 years ago
Thanks for posting this, Dax. I've not seen one before.

tj
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
10 years ago
In November, 2009 I saw a bird hanging around with the House Sparrows that had a bit of yellow on it. Otherwise, it looked similar to the sparrows and fit in very well. I'm in Plymouth, MA.

I finally got a few photos and after searching the guides and emailing Project FeederWatch I discovered it was a female Dickcissel. Apparently Massachusetts was part of their original range but they're not often seen here now.

Here the Dickcissel (front and center with the rufous shoulder patch) is feeding with a bunch of House Sparrows.

Since then I look a little suspiciously at the House Sparrows wondering what else is lurking there. I've never seen a male Dickcissel.

Claire
catherinet
10 years ago
Great catch with those pictures Claire! Lucky you!
tmff
10 years ago
Pretty cool to get a migrating Dickcissel at your feeder, Claire! That is a treat. You really never know what you'll see.

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