Whatchamacallit!

[phoebe]

I was sitting on the front porch by my feeder, hoping to see something new, or perhaps capture a hummingbird on my honeysuckle, when I saw this bird in the grass. At first I thought it was a starling or a robin but when I zoomed in with my camera I saw it was neither. What it is though remains a mystery to me so please help.




Then this bird came to sit on my fence. Didn't get a good focus on it, as you can see it focused on the tree instead, and before I could get another shot off, the bird was gone. I think I've seen it a time or two before, and it's bigger then the house sparrows but when I looked in my bird ID book I realized that the more I saw the less I knew, so some help here would be nice too! Thanks, Phoebe

[Wetlander]

Gosh Phoebe, I wish I could help but I'm not sure!
I first thought Cowbird female, but the 3rd picture made me think Pipit!
Then the tail in the 3rd and 4th picture threw me off as well.
Overall, my guess would be cowbird, but it is a guess.

[phoebe]

Well, they are two different birds. The bird on the first two pictures was much larger then the other bird, and they were not at all alike. The two last pictures might be a cowbird, but it seems a bit smaller then the cowbirds we usually get.

[bandj]

Could the 1st larger bird be a female Brewer's Blackbird?

Love these puzzles - makes us really take a close look at things.

[phoebe]

Thanks bandj, I think you are right about the Brewer's Blackbird. From observation of it walking around, it seems to fit. Which now makes my yard count go up to 44. Now if someone can help ID the other bird, or confirm it's a cowbird, that would be great,
Thanks a bunch wetlander and bandj,
Phoebe

[oldfulica]

Hi Phoebe
I think your first impression on the first bird was right; a juvenile Starling and the second a female Cowbird.

[Wetlander]

Apologies Phoebe,
I didn't read your post closely enough...

[Chris]

I believe they are a young starling and a female cowbird.

[phoebe]

Yesterday I saw two adult starlings with two young and they are the same bird that I posted here! Thanks so much for all your help. Really appreciate it!