Show your Bird Portraits

[Jack Douglas]

... or Red-eyed Vireo

Thanks. Did you notice the hook on the bill? Red-eyed; seems the over-eye markings don't match. I'll try the Audubon look-up.

Jack

 

[Click]

Did you notice the hook on the bill?

No, I didn't.

I'll try again tomorrow with a better book.

 

[dcm]

Pelicans at a pond in City Park during golden hour with a few passing clouds. First time out with the M5 + Tamron 150-600 (finally got the firmware upgraded). Shot handheld or steadied on a railing. 200-400 looks great. Next time a tripod for slow shutter speeds at 600. A pretty good combo, not many misses other than operator error (like leaving the focus limiting switch at 15m :). Minor crop, exposure, and level adjustments.

 

[AlanF]

Arrived in Malaysia. Off on the bird and animal safari next week, but got in some practice shots.These are from my favourite travel combo - 5DSR and 100-400mm II.

 

[Click]

@ Alan, dcm,

Very nice pictures, guys.


@Jack,

Sorry, I haven’t found your bird's ID. I have found some really close in shape and colorwise but not exactly the same.

 

[Jack Douglas]

@ Alan, dcm,

Very nice pictures, guys. Yes, add me, JDW


@Jack,

Sorry, I haven’t found your bird's ID. I have found some really close in shape and colorwise but not exactly the same.

Don't fret it click, I've checked quite a bit and this one is tricky but I'm convinced it's a vireo.

Jack

 

[Mikehit]

I now think the ?flycatcher? might be a Blue-headed vireo. Help, anyone.

Jack

It looks like a Tennessee warbler

http://www.birdzilla.com/birds/tennessee-warbler.html

It doesn't have the white wing stripes of the vireos. Part of the challenge is male/female and breeding or (especially in males) eclipse plumage

 

[Click]

So my first guess is most likely.

Tennessee Warbler

 

[Mikehit]

Sorry, Click. I missed that post.

 

[Click]

No no Mike, don't be sorry. I'm just confirming my guess with yours.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Thanks Mike and click. Do you agree that my bird has a hook to its upper bill? I have the warbler book and looking at the photos which are as usual rather small I don't see any bill hook on your guess. What about Bell's vireo? I looked at lots of photos online but nothing seems quite right. Now I won't sleep for days on end if I can't resolve this.

Jack

 

[Click]

Now I won't sleep for days on end if I can't resolve this.

Same here. ;D

 

[Jack Douglas]

Now I won't sleep for days on end if I can't resolve this.

Same here. ;D

I was back there and for two days not a soul (yes, birds are souls ) was around except for 3 ducks that surprisingly seem to like me, so I couldn't get any more poses or closer shots. I'll keep trying. When I observe the various birds in books that are supposed to frequent my area I'm amazed since I never seem to see them!

Jack

 

[DavidGMiles]

Headed to Alaska last November, for the week after the Bald Eagle festival - luckily we had a real mix of weather, including some days where there was a great big dump of snow - I also spent some time in Alaska during July, again eagles, but with the addition of bears & whales ... & orca! I'm hoping to head back there again during 2019

 

[AlanF]

Just a few yards form the hotel, a pair of house crows, a common tree sparrow and a female oriental magpie-robin.

 

[Jack Douglas]

@ DavidGMiles You lucky guy! Post more!

@ AlanF Another lucky guy! I don't have to tell you to post more. BTW I'm really thankful to now have 800 mm, there is never enough but 600 -> 800 has really helped with small birds.

Jack

 

[Click]

Headed to Alaska last November, for the week after the Bald Eagle festival - luckily we had a real mix of weather, including some days where there was a great big dump of snow - I also spent some time in Alaska during July, again eagles, but with the addition of bears & whales ... & orca! I'm hoping to head back there again during 2019

I really like your shot. Well done David.

 

[Mikehit]

Thanks Mike and click. Do you agree that my bird has a hook to its upper bill? I have the warbler book and looking at the photos which are as usual rather small I don't see any bill hook on your guess. What about Bell's vireo? I looked at lots of photos online but nothing seems quite right. Now I won't sleep for days on end if I can't resolve this.

Jack

I think you may be right Jack for two reasons:
the bill on the hsot you took does not have a hook as such but does curve strongly down at the end, whereas the Tennessee warbler is more straight. And the coverts (the first 'line' of feathers on the folded wing) are more brown like the feathers of the Bell's vireo I have seen whereas the Tennessee warbler seem to be more green.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Thanks Mike and click. Do you agree that my bird has a hook to its upper bill? I have the warbler book and looking at the photos which are as usual rather small I don't see any bill hook on your guess. What about Bell's vireo? I looked at lots of photos online but nothing seems quite right. Now I won't sleep for days on end if I can't resolve this.

Jack

I think you may be right Jack for two reasons:
the bill on the hsot you took does not have a hook as such but does curve strongly down at the end, whereas the Tennessee warbler is more straight. And the coverts (the first 'line' of feathers on the folded wing) are more brown like the feathers of the Bell's vireo I have seen whereas the Tennessee warbler seem to be more green.

So, can I label it Bell's vireo and relax? Only a real birder would know the difference anyway I guess and I need to control my obsessiveness! ;D

Jack OH NO, I just checked and Bell's doesn't visit Alberta!!

 

[Mikehit]

You daft sod! Why did you have to check that bit of important information?

When I came up with Tennessee warbler I had googled 'Canada small bird green'. Check again, maybe.