Just a quick bird ID, please
Sep 27, 2017 17:16:53 #
Thanks everyone--not a great photo, but I saw this little guy/gal in the California redwoods and am curious; I'm from CT and don't have a clue....
Sep 27, 2017 17:44:41 #
Hmm, so odd. My first instinct is to call it an Eastern Kingbird except for two or three factors (with exceptions noted). I am still a novice birder so I like a challenge, as such take my word for what it is worth!
1) Your location is not in the range, but there are some reports of them in the east side of Oregon. It could have drifted to the CA redwoods.
2) The face on the Eastern Kingbird is not white. However if this was very recent a lot of birds are molting for winter plumage or it could be slightly leucistic or juvenile.
3) The Easter Kingbird has a distinct white bar across the end of the tail. I see a hint of light color in the pic, but again could be a juvenile.
Oh, here is a link to Eastern Kingbird
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Kingbird/id
1) Your location is not in the range, but there are some reports of them in the east side of Oregon. It could have drifted to the CA redwoods.
2) The face on the Eastern Kingbird is not white. However if this was very recent a lot of birds are molting for winter plumage or it could be slightly leucistic or juvenile.
3) The Easter Kingbird has a distinct white bar across the end of the tail. I see a hint of light color in the pic, but again could be a juvenile.
Oh, here is a link to Eastern Kingbird
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Kingbird/id
Sep 27, 2017 19:41:32 #
blacksmithjps wrote:
Hmm, so odd...
See what you mean, and thanks for the link. Doesn't quite seem to fit, but as you say, could be a juvenile or in transition. Here's one more view--let's hear if anyone else knows.
Sep 27, 2017 20:02:35 #
Oddly enough this looks like a grey jay to me which isn't native to CT in summer/fall. It has found it's way north during the winter into CT.
Sep 27, 2017 20:25:20 #
I can't find anything exactly like this in my bird book. Besides Eastern Kingbird, another possibility might be a juvenile Black Phobe?
Sep 27, 2017 20:25:59 #
Sep 27, 2017 20:34:25 #
Haydon wrote:
Oddly enough this looks like a grey jay to me which isn't native to CT in summer/fall. It has found it's way north during the winter into CT.
OK, looking at the Gray Jay on https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Jay/id that seems far more likely to be this bird than Eastern Kingbird even being in California Redwoods. Appearance is so much closer.
Sep 27, 2017 20:37:14 #
blacksmithjps wrote:
OK, looking at the Gray Jay on https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Jay/id that seems far more likely to be this bird even being in California Redwoods. Appearance is so much closer.
I think we have a winner!
Sep 27, 2017 20:38:30 #
Basil wrote:
Was this spotted in Northern California?
Yes, right beside the "Boy Scout" redwood in the state/national park near Crescent City.
Sep 27, 2017 20:39:51 #
Oh, Nice photos by the way. And thanks for helping me practice my bird identification!
Sep 27, 2017 20:42:04 #
Basil wrote:
I think we have a winner!
Me, too! Thanks so much blacksmithjps!
Sep 27, 2017 21:22:58 #
Winner, winner, gray jay dinner! The Cornell Lab in the link shows the range map farther north, but Nat Geo Field Guide shows the range extending down to Crescent City, right where you found this guy. 
Sep 27, 2017 21:36:45 #
OddJobber wrote:
Winner, winner, gray jay dinner! The Cornell Lab in the link shows the range map farther north, but Nat Geo Field Guide shows the range extending down to Crescent City, right where you found this guy.
Cool--didn't catch that. Thanks, OddJobber!
Sep 27, 2017 22:00:55 #
Nice shot. Never seen one but I looked it up Gray Jay they are also known as Camp Robber. Eat most anything and common in North & Northwest woods.
Sep 27, 2017 22:13:07 #
Rayme wrote:
Nice shot. Never seen one but I looked it up Gray Jay they are also known as Camp Robber. Eat most anything and common in North & Northwest woods.
Makes sense--he came right down next to me; may have been looking for something to fall out of my camera bag!
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