February 2012 Photo Quiz Answers

Ready to see if you were correct? See how your guesses match up with ABA Young Birder Blog Student Editor Tristan Weinbrenner!

1. July 26, 2011, Estes Park, Boulder County, CO. Photo by Sam Fason.

 

Here we have a small passerine, most likely in the family Paridae. Based on range we can rule out the Titmice, which leaves us with either Mountain or Black-capped Chickadee. It seems to have little white on the primary feathers, making me think Mountain Chickadee. The bill seems very thin and straight, something not often found in the stubby, upturned-billed Black-capped. So that leaves me with Mountain Chickadee.

2. December 31, 2011, Granger Lake, Williamson County, Texas. Photo by Sam Fason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we have what looks to be a small passerine in flight, reminding me of a longspur or a lark by impression. The wings do not look right for Horned Lark. By range, all longspurs can be found in this area of Texas in the winter, so that does not rule out much. I don’t think this looks right for Smith’s, McCown’s, or Chestnut-collared. The tail looks good for Lapland, so that is my answer: Lapland Longspur.

3. January 2, 2012, Baton Rouge, LA. Photo by Alex Haun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously we have a Passerine, seemingly of the family Emberizidae. It also looks to be of the genus Melospiza, consisting of Song, Swamp, and Lincoln’s Sparrows. I am thinking Lincoln’s based on the buffy eye-ring and the light bluish-gray face. The primaries and secondaries also look good for Lincoln’s Sparrow, which is my final answer.

4. July 28, 2009, Jacksonville, FL. Photo by Liam Wolff.

We see a large wading bird, from either the genus Egretta or Ardea. The legs rule out the white morph of the Great Blue Heron, along with Tricolored and Little Blue herons. The bill rules out Great and Snowy egrets, leaving us with Reddish Egret. The range, bi-colored bill, and large overall size also help confirm this. The color seems a little off for just a white morph, so I would call this an intergra­­de white/dark morph bird.

Comments

[Sam Fason]

just a minor thing, Smiths Longspurs arent found at Granger lake or anywhere in central texas. there was one that was seen sometime in the 90s but none since then.

also, spragues pipit can be rulled out by the dark brown color and lack of streaks. i say that since someone guessed it

[Kyle]

Number 3 looks more like a Song Sparrow to me

[Alexandria Simpson]

Number two looks like a Eastern/Western Meadowlark to me. I live just northwest of this area, and we have both. I guessed Eastern based on the wider tail feathers versus Western. Would really have to hear it sing to know for certain.

That said, I got number 4 right, and the other two wrong, darn!

[Katydids and Bluebirds]

At first I didn't know what #1 was. Now that I read the post, it seems obvious. And I thought I was a chickadee expert! :)

~Katie B.~

[wyatt]

I would think #1 was a Dark-eyed junco, based on the white outer retrices, but that would not agree with the overall black plumage. Nice photos!