What bird is this? (identification)?

We saw it by a California lake area: black, medium, flying and hopping, and making a LOUD aggressive (mating?) sound that sounds like an electronic video game pah-chee-kow, paw-chee-kow, paw chee.KOW. ?? We saw several. Can’t figure this one out.
- DEB

Bird identification. It showed up at my feeder, not in bird books. I have blurred photo?

Mystery bird. Grosbeak size, dark wedge shape beak. Color dark grey all over. Seen solo at a feeder in Quebec. Prefers mixed seed. Photo can be supplied. Not in any of my bird books. Thanks,
- socialklutz

I need help with a bird identification?

I found a picture of this bird online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31265303@N02/2928072290/

Image searches online didn’t yield similar birds. I don’t know much about it beyond that it’s yellow with black markings. I think it could possibly be a Warbler of some sort, but another person said it could be an Oriole or a Yellow Wagtail so now I’m not sure.

Help please!
- miss_print

Northern Nevada bird identification?

I would like to identify an immature bird that I saw today. It was sitting on some steps for several hours. It was golden in color, about the size of a full-grown chicken. It was obviously immature because it had no feathers, just lots of long bright yellow hairy fuzz all over its body. It had large feet. There was a little bit of red coloration on its face.

I called Wildlife Rescue and also emailed them some pictures of the bird. Next time I looked, a couple hours later, the bird was gone.

Anybody have any ideas what kind of bird this might have been?
- stefanocurione

Should I report a Xantus’s hummingbird seen in Northern California?

I saw this beautiful bird outside my window about a month ago. I didn’t have any binoculars, so I watched it through a child’s telescope, lol. I finally got around to looking it up in a bird identification program, and it turns out that it is not normally seen this far north (global warming, I guess). Should I report it to anybody? Or would no one believe me anyway because I am not an expert?
- dressup

Austrian bird identification?

When I was in Austria, near Graz, I saw an odd bird that, while flying, would occasionally stop and hover in mid-air. What is it?
It was a medium to large sized bird.
- The Duck [Die Ente]

Who Else Wants To Go Bird Walking

One of the relaxing and pleasant ways to get to know Mother Nature is to go on a bird walk around where you live or where you vacation. Personally, I love to take photos of the birds while I am on a walk or a hike through the woods, but some people get just as much joy simply viewing and listening to the birds.

You Don’t Need A Lot Of Equipment To Bird Walk

One of the greatest things about bird walking is that most equipment is optional for bird walking. Not everyone needs a camera with multiple lenses for close up or distant shots, or you might not care about identifying every little brown bird you see, just looking at them may be reward enough for you.

But if you do take bird walking seriously, bird identification guides are a good investment. Only get the field guides of birds in the areas you do your bird walking. Field guides for the birds of the world are not only fabulously expensive, but weigh a ton and are not worth lugging in your pack.

You do need good footwear for bird watching. The shoes or boots need to be sturdy, comfortable and with a minimum of heel. Depending on where you might walk to follow a bird, you might get into some (literally) sticky situations, so don’t wear you best shoes.

Some people prefer to walk in shoe-boots, some in Wellington boots. If you are only going around your neighborhood or to tourist bird walking tours, then a pair of sneakers is all right.

Binoculars are also optional, but recommended, especially if you are nearsighted. They needn’t be a huge expensive pair, they could even be pair of tiny opera glasses.

This way you can watch the birds without startling them by getting too close for their comfort. You can also spot whether or not you can get a great picture without getting all of you film equipment first. Binoculars can take a little getting used to, so practice first before going bird walking.

Bird Walking Vacations

There are vacation packages catered just for those who love bird walking. You can find them online or ask your favorite travel agent. You could also take vacations close to nature parks or preserves and do your bird walking then.

You can choose from staying at a hotel, a vacation rental home or camping out. Before you go, pack for any kind of weather. Also pack your sense of humor. Nature rarely performs on schedule.

If you think it might be sunny, be sure to wear a hat or at least use sunscreen. You will also need bottles of water, tissues, and protein bars to stave off the worst hunger pangs.

Anyway, I hope that you can enjoy bird walking as much as I do. There is just nothing better than getting out in nature, period. Just follow the above recommendations and you should have nothing to worry about except what species of bird you are going to find.


- Madison Greene

Birdwatchers – Any websites you suggest for bird identification?

I live in southeastern Michigan if that makes a difference.

Thanks all

I had no idea where to put this question, but I figured outdoor types might be into birdwatching….
- Tink

Bird Identification quiz #1?

Identify these birds–
1) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3249213930_34d30f99db.jpg?v=0
2) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3249214444_80c740eac8.jpg?v=0
3) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3249216382_06ac4628b7.jpg?v=0

All of these photos were taken by me–the first one is blurry because I had to digiscope it.

Thanks!
–Phoenix
- Phoenix

Can you help me with an Ohio Bird identification?

This bird is found in western southwestern Ohio. It builds its nest in fields (for example, a hay field). It is about the size of a robin. It is mainly black with a light yellow underbelly. It also dives at vehicles and people quite often ~ probably because we’re getting too near its nest.
- librarylover

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