Bird Identification?? (challenging, since no pic)

16 years ago

It is probably futile to describe the bird without a pic. But my camera battery died and since this was this first time I saw him, I donÂt know if heÂll be back.

I say ÂheÂ but it may be a female and thatÂs why I canÂt find it in my Audubon bird book since it mainly shows males.

HeÂs about the same size as a sparrow but not as plump and all the sparrows in my book have more marking. He has no distinct marking on his face, head, neck or around the eyes.

His chest is marked just like a Pine Siskin but not the same color. ItÂs light gray, almost white with mottled grey markings. He is a medium shade of gray. His wings are darker grey and have very distinct lighter markings like the Eastern Wood Peewee.

His beak is like a sparrowÂs but a bit longer and it is a littler darker grey than his head. His head is shaped like a doveÂs. His tail seemed somewhat short and narrow.

Bear in mine, IÂm comparing him to PICTURES from a book and not my own personal experience with these birds. As well, I found that when I Googled many of these birds, the pics looked nothing like mine. SoÂ..???

I live in Virginia, on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay, somewhat close to the NC border.

Any bird experts out there that know all these birds by sight and can picture them and what IÂm trying to describe? If not, I certainly understand.

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Comments (8)

lucypwd
16 years ago
Well, I don't know, but I have had great luck calling either my local audoban society and describing the bird, or calling our backyard bird shop. Typically they know what birds are around, and which ones are moving through the area. Also, your description of the bird's behavior will help as well. For example, is it feeding on the ground or on the feeder - is it choosing suet or thistle or blackoil sunflower seeds etc. You will be surprised at how acurate audoban can be over the phone. Have your bird book handy or sit at your computer so you can see pictures of the birds they suggest, that way you can continue to update your information to them. For example they suggest one bird - you look at it and respond with "right color but the beak on my bird was shorter, longer, hooked etc. Good luck!!
brit5467
Original Author
16 years ago
TKS Lucy !!! You're the one & only reply I got and you see how long ago posted this.

What a great idea !! Willl definitely do that.

Tks again,
bonnie
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
And then let the rest of us know! Unanswered posts are almost always due to the fact that we don't feel like we can help. If left unanswered, the posts remain at the top of the pile, so that we can check in from time to time and so that newcomers may see the question and be able to help. Good for Lucy and her very helpful response.

Your descriptive abilities are great....I'll bet you find an answer soon!
brit5467
Original Author
16 years ago
Sure will !! And thanks for the compliment !! I haven't even gone back to see what I wrote, so WILL need to do that and refresh my memory before calling.

Oh, and I DO understand why no one replied before. It WAS quite a challenging question. I was just excited that Lucy finally DID and had SUCH a great suggestion :)

Bonnie
feather_z9_ncacoast
15 years ago
So, did it turn out to be a Swainson's Thrush or something along those lines?
brit5467
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, first off, I'm ashamed to say I never followed up on it as Lucy suggested. Got too busy, I guess.

But after looking at a few pics of the Swainson's Thrush, there WAS one that was more grey than brown and if memory serves me, that IS what it looked like. So, good for you !!! I think you solved the mystery.

And BTW...never ever saw him/her again :-(
feather_z9_ncacoast
15 years ago
It was a lucky guess on my part based on your very detailed description. You might want to come visit us over on the Bird Watching Forum sometime :)
brit5467
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the compliment on the description :) I WILL have to come join y'all !! Don't know why I didn't post it there to begin with?? I'll check it out. But most of my 'watching' is done more in the winter when I'm indoors and can see the feeders incognito :-) As of now, there's nothing real unique going on there (species-wise). Plus, hadda take all but one down. Was getting eaten out of house & home and I KNOW they aren't starving NOW. So will cater to them in the winter again ;)

Plus, my garden has got waaay ahead of me so it's my main objective to conquer that monster (God willing :-)

But see you there soon !!

Bird Identification?? (challenging, since no pic)

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