What Bird Is That Forum

From my trip to St Marks NWR in 2014




boattailed grackle St Marks NWR by johnd1964, on Flickr

Lonestranger wrote: Sun Mar 01, 2026 1:58 pm A rare out of range Bullocks Oriole from Nov 2023.

Okay, would someone explain the features of this bird that separate it from a warbler? The bill appears to delicate for an oriole, the colors don't seem to match male or female, and it seems too small compared to the woodpecker (Downy / Hairy?).

Thanks!

Charlie Spencer wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2026 8:31 pm

Lonestranger wrote: Sun Mar 01, 2026 1:58 pm A rare out of range Bullocks Oriole from Nov 2023.

Okay, would someone explain the features of this bird that separate it from a warbler? The bill appears to delicate for an oriole, the colors don't seem to match male or female, and it seems too small compared to the woodpecker (Downy / Hairy?).

Thanks!

It looks fine to me as a female Bullock's Oriole all the way around. I, however, can't explain the size difference. Artifacts of the photo, possibly.

Charlie Spencer wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2026 8:31 pm Okay, would someone explain the features of this bird that separate it from a warbler? The bill appears to delicate for an oriole...

The bill doesn't appear delicate enough for a warbler. The tail is also broad and yellow for a warbler. Did you have a specific warbler in mind?

Greyhawk wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2026 9:17 pm Did you have a specific warbler in mind?

No, I'm not familiar enough with western warblers to think the bird resembles a specific one. I just got an overall warbler vibe from it, not an oriole one. I don't remember the original ID discussion.

Never mind, go back to sleep.

Charlie Spencer wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2026 8:31 pm ]Okay, would someone explain the features of this bird that separate it from a warbler? The bill appears to delicate for an oriole, the colors don't seem to match male or female, and it seems too small compared to the woodpecker (Downy / Hairy?).

Thanks![/size]

I don't know how many times I saw Orchard Orioles and was unable to figure out what warbler that was, until I finally figured out it was Orchard. Of course they're smaller than some of the other orioles, but still... I felt silly!

Charlie Spencer wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2026 8:31 pm

Lonestranger wrote: Sun Mar 01, 2026 1:58 pm A rare out of range Bullocks Oriole from Nov 2023.

Okay, would someone explain the features of this bird that separate it from a warbler? The bill appears to delicate for an oriole, the colors don't seem to match male or female, and it seems too small compared to the woodpecker (Downy / Hairy?).

Thanks!

I originally thought it might have been a late Pine Warbler and wondered if Merlin was steering me wrong by suggesting Bullocks Oriole. Kind of reassuring to know I wasn't the only one to question the Oriole ID, thanks.

Lonestranger wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2026 10:01 am I originally thought it might have been a late Pine Warbler ...

That was my first reaction although the tail color is wrong.

Are we still posting Bullock oriole?

Bullock Oriole by Deb Lewis, on Flickr

Heritage Shores Nature Preserve, Horry County, northeastern SC. March 2022. https://ebird.org/checklist/S104600020

Bullock's Oriole


Boat-tailed Grackle

Good morning, Whatbirders! I assume everyone has gone through the spring ritual of desynchronizing your time pieces from your body clock. To celebrate,

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Lewis's Woodpecker

The guideline is only one photo per species per week, please. On those occasions when I name more than one species, you're welcome to post one photo of each species. Details and stories behind the photos are encouraged!

Lewis' Woodpecker
Highway 72, NM
4/23/74


Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Tyler, TX
2/1/76

Just the Yellow-bellied for me.

Yellow-bellied sapsucker - male- Celery Farm, NJ by stevebruenjes, on Flickr

August 2015 for this Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. One of my favourite shots from the P900 superzoom.

Untitled by lonestranger102, on Flickr

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

I've seen Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers once or twice - they're not common here - but no photos!

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker


Lewis's Woodpecker

no Lewis's but a few long shots of a YBSS
this is the best one.
I think its from the Ft Worth Japanese's garden. from 3-2016




Yellow bellied Sapsucker by johnd1964, on Flickr

My favorite woodpecker!

Pictured Rock National Lakeshore, 'Yooperland', Michigan. September 2020. https://ebird.org/checklist/S73930928

Darling Bride had long wanted to see Mackinac Island, so we flew to the Upper Peninsula for a week at the height of the COVID era. Other than mid-30s the days we arrived and left, the temps were unseasonably pleasant.

When the random selector popped up with YBSA, I knew immediately which photo I wanted. I love how the bird's camouflage markings blend perfectly with the tree bark. Even with the magenta head markings, I wouldn't have seen it if it hadn't been moving.

Hellooooooo, it is Sunday, right? Am I the only person here toady? Where is everyone? Please come out and play!

lonesome55dove wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 9:15 pm Hellooooooo, it is Sunday, right? Am I the only person here toady? Where is everyone? Please come out and play!

I haven't seen Charlie around today. Presumably some real life activity is occupying him.

In the meantime, feel free to contribute to the collaborative forum lifetime photo list, post your BRDL or Birdiegame results, or help identify Sbruenjes' hawk. There's always something to do!

Greyhawk wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 10:05 pm Presumably some real life activity is occupying him.

Yep.

Osprey

Charlie Spencer wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 10:08 pm

Greyhawk wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 10:05 pm Presumably some real life activity is occupying him.

Yep.

Osprey

Cool.

I'm having trouble remembering ever having a bird of prey as the species of the week. Maybe an owl. Bear in mind I've only been around here for about two years.

Charlie Spencer wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 10:08 pm Osprey

Keys, FL
5/17/83