Monday, December 20, 2010

A Perching Mystery

All of my activity last week took more out of me than I hoped it would. It hit me about the time I published my last post. I became exhausted and dizzy so most activity had to stop for a few days. ...But I'm feeling muuuch better now.

So I'm back with a bit of a mystery. Take a close look at the bad pictures I have of this bird here. The first thing you might notice is the bright yellow belly. Then the darker back, which is either gray or maybe more possibly an olive color. The front of the neck appears to be white. That last part is very hard to see.

I found these pictures while browsing through my archives. I took them at the beginning of May last year with my old camera. I don't remember the event at all. I'm guessing that's because I must have thought at the time that this was an American Robin, which is very common around here. But after doing quite a bit of research over the last few weeks I suspect it is really a Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher, but I am far from sure. It's definitely not a robin.

I'm so interested in this bird because I have never seen a bird like this one before. Birds are some of the most interesting creatures because there is such a huge variety of them. Before I began really paying attention to them I thought there was only one kind of bird around here. Brown. You wouldn't believe my amazement when I saw my first American Goldfinch, which is bright yellow.

So now every time I find a new bird I am very excited. It's more fun to know the bird is new when I actually see it, but seeing the picture is pretty good too. I actually have stumbled across several very interesting pictures of birds in my archives. I only wish the quality could be just a bit better.

So, do any of you think you know what this bird might be? I already made my guess, but it could be way off. The one thing I am sure of is that this is the only one of its kind I am sure I've ever seen. So even if I never find the identity I am very excited to discover that I have seen another type of bird. What could be better than the discovery of something new?


Nature Center Magazine - This week begins the start of a series of some very good nature videos that I found. Today we feature some very special Reindeer that have a taste for magic mushrooms.

19 comments:

  1. To know and to do something new are always exciting.

    I did not know much about photography before I do blogging.

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  2. I am not expert in birding, but every time I saw a new species of bird, I am so excited!

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  3. Hi ratty, I agree, it does look very similar to the European fly catchers. I have only seen one type and they are...brown! I reckon you have got it bang on.

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  4. I am not an expert birder but it looks like a great crested fly catcher to me. But the shots aren't that clear so it is hard to tell.

    Bill

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  5. I'm not sure what kind of bird it is, but I understand your excitement. This past weekend I saw a Varied Thrush in my yard for the first time- good thing the camera was with me!

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  6. Well, it's sure too hard to tell which one, but I think you've got the Flycatcher part right. In May, several could have been migrating through.

    @Bill!- I saw a Varied Thrush just once. In Maryland of all places. I didn't know what it was, so I sketched it an marked the colors, it was so distinctive. When I got home it was easy to ID. Where are you located?

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  7. I've never even heard of a flycatcher. Hmm quite interesting. Seeing a new bird for the first time always is exciting.

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  8. It could be any of the above. I like to identify anything I don't know when I get home so as not to forget some of the finer points.

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  9. Ratty, I am not sure what kind of bird that is!~ I get so excited when a new one of any kind comes to our feeders too!

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  10. I'm afraid I just like looking at birds, but I've never been compelled to try to ID one!

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  11. We don't know what kind of bird that is either. I only know a few birds but it is great fun to see a new one We mainly just have cardinals and chickadees right now. Take it easy Ratty and get better.

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  12. Wow..I would love to see birds at this time of the year around here. Take it easy Ratty, and have a wonderful holidays!

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  13. i admire you for really doing your best to go back to top form, i also have no idea what kind if bird is that. hope you feel better soon.

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  14. Well I will bow to the experts here and agree with them. Wow...it's so excited you fond him!!

    Happy day and Merry Christmas Ratty!
    Jackie:-)

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  15. Merry Christmas, Ratty! Here's to a healthy New Year too!

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  16. It does look like a flycatcher but I'm not enough of a birder to know which one.

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Ratty.

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  17. Merry Christmas Ratty. My world was brightened the day I found your blog. May you have lots of new adventures to share with everyone this coming year.

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  18. Blessed Christmas Ratty :) May your days be delightful and bright!

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  19. Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I hope each of you had a very good Christmas.

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