Can you solve the mystery bird?
Okay, time to play a game…name that bird. Here’s a blurry picture (that will make it more fun) of a bird from this morning that I don’t recognize. Its back looks greenish-yellow, and it seems to have a gray head, but what is it? I honestly am not sure, so I’m opening it up to guesses from you, my educated readers. I think I saw the same bird on Monday morning but was unable to get a picture. Of course this picture isn’t super helpful, but it adds to the mystery and intrigue…so, what’s your guess?
Well, I got the ole hummingbird feeder up early this morning, and then look what showed up about an hour later…a male ruby-throated hummingbird! Sweet! These guys will be lots of fun to try to get pictures of (sorry for the preposition at the end of the sentence there). Anyway, hummingbirds have always been some of my favorite birds, and with the recent bluebird disappearances, they will be a nice substitute.
Of course I shot some other photos this morning: a Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, male house finch, female cardinal, and the most interesting…a Carolina wren stretching out to peek into the new birdhouse. I love it! He’s thinking, “Is anyone in there? Anybody home?” My bet is that we will have a fun wren nest in there sometime next spring. My son will be excited! And something else fun from this morning…no catbirds! That’s all for today. Dave
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Dave, I have no idea what your mystey bird could be. Wonder if it is a female Goldfinch–although I don’t see the black that we usually see on her wings.
Also—check out my blog from today. I put a picture of a hummingbird visiting our feeder. I love the bluebirds–but these hummers are gorgeous also.
Kris, thanks! Me, too…looks cartoon-ish even. Silly little bird!
Betsy, now we are both on to hummingbirds! I saw your blog entry and left you a few comments there. :-)
The mystery bird definitely is not a goldfinch…it was much bigger, about the size of a bluebird. The closest thing to it that I’ve seen is a Tennessee warbler, but they don’t have range this far south.
I think your mystery bird is a female Scarlett Tanager.
I have a question. We have rescued a baby bird from the middle of a busy highway, no way to try to find its folks, so we have it. This is not our first rodeo, but we are having trouble identifying it. It is Gray, with white throat and belly, its beak is black and narrow with no yellow. It seems to like meal worms a lot. We live near Nashville, TN. Any ideas? It is about the size of a wren, but is quite immature, stubby wings and tail, so it is far from full grown.
Julie, your bird sounds kind of like a tufted titmouse. Ours definitely like mealworms. Can you email a picture? dheiser@wncn.com
P.S. Thanks for the guess! It’s the best idea so far, I think (and it would be our first tanager, which would be very exciting).
HI, Just emailed a picture of the baby. I really want to identify, so as to get the diet right for this little fella. Thanks!
Julie, just got the picture and am looking for an answer…be back soon! Anyone else have a guess here?
Julie, brown-headed nuthatch maybe? They are gray and brown with the white neck and underside…still not sure…
Julie, okay I’m going with brown-headed nuthatch as my final answer. I checked with someone at another site (greensborobirds.com), and that was her guess as well. They do love mealworms, and as fledglings, BHNs are more gray than brown. Check this link out and see what you think…
http://cvwofirstlandingspk.blogspot.com/2008/05/when-is-brown-headed-nuthatch-not.html
Thanks Dave! That looks like it must be it! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. He is getting more brown tinged every day, so that must be what he is. He makes the cutest little churring sounds when he is hungry. The first morning he was here I thought it was something mechanical making the sound, then I remembered he was in the room. Thanks again for the identification help!
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I liked the shot of the Carolina Wren!!!