Feeding Wild Birds

[TwoCrows]

So what is this one? Merlin says a blue heron or an Osprey. I know it's neither, of course. We have both and they are large beautiful birds. I'm not too sure of this Merlin app.

I was thinking this is a chickadee, but not the same as our normal ones we see.
View attachment 4143029

That looks like a Dark-eyed Junco. We only see these birds in the winter, I love Juncos!

 

[ValerieJ]

That looks like a Dark-eyed Junco. We only see these birds in the winter, I love Juncos!

Thanks. I've never heard of that bird, nor seen one that looked like this here before. It was a cute little bird. Audobon says the junco is about 5-6+ inches, and this seemed smaller than that to me. More chickadee sized. But it doesn't look like any chickadees we have seen around here, or that I can find online anywhere. Even the black capped chickadee looks a little different in that the black is just a cap of color. This one had a black head.

Well, Audubon says they are common here and live in conifer forests, and that is what this is, so you are probably right.

I'm having a great time seeing the little birds up a bit closer now with the small feeders. I've never done that before. My other feeders accommodate the blue jays and other birds that size. And squirrels. I feed a lot of squirrels.

 

[fuzzi]

If you have a Peterson's Field Guide look at the pictures. You'll see little arrows pointing at markings to look for on a bird. The beak is a big help in identifying a bird, look at its shape, color, size. Does the breast have spots or streaks or is it unmarked? How long is the tai? Etc.

Not juncos but you can see what I'm saying:

 

[ValerieJ]

If you have a Peterson's Field Guide look at the pictures. You'll see little arrows pointing at markings to look for on a bird. The beak is a big help in identifying a bird, look at its shape, color, size. Does the breast have spots or streaks or is it unmarked? How long is the tai? Etc.

That is a great tip! I'll buy one. Thanks.

 

[fuzzi]

That is a great tip! I'll buy one. Thanks.

You can get an older edition in good condition cheaper. I bought my granddaughter the same edition that my mom bought me about 1990. My original copy was from the 1960s.

Here's one on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1750687582/eastern-birds-by-roger-tory-peterson

 

[fuzzi]

Oh, wait. You'll need the Western guide..

 

[R2elk]

So what is this one? Merlin says a blue heron or an Osprey. I know it's neither, of course. We have both and they are large beautiful birds. I'm not too sure of this Merlin app.

I was thinking this is a chickadee, but not the same as our normal ones we see.
View attachment 4143029

Definitely a Junco.

 

[fuzzi]

Oh, wait. You'll need the Western guide..

Amaz0n, cheep:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/132876222X/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

@ValerieJ it's new, $12.

 

[ValerieJ]

If you have a Peterson's Field Guide look at the pictures. You'll see little arrows pointing at markings to look for on a bird. The beak is a big help in identifying a bird, look at its shape, color, size. Does the breast have spots or streaks or is it unmarked? How long is the tai? Etc.

Not juncos but you can see what I'm saying:
View attachment 4143160

Bought the one for Northwest America. Thanks for the great advice. I'm primarily looking at color. I guess I have a lot of things I should be looking for.

 

[ValerieJ]

Amaz0n, cheep:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/132876222X/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

@ValerieJ it's new, $12.

Yes, I just bought it. Thanks.