Scarlet tanager is the one we see lots in our yard, sometimes right out the studio window. We get gobs of young scarlets blowing through in late summer and fall. Nearly all are in dull plumage, but they are beautiful nonetheless, and it's such fun to see them sport and play.
And then this character appeared. Now, when you see dozens of scarlet tanagers, the little things that are different about this bird jump out at you. First, it's larger. A different green, tinged orange. Longer wings, longer tail...less contrast between wing and body than a scarlet shows. Tail's not blackish like a scarlet's, either. It's all adding up to...just missing one part...
Ah! the Jimmy Durante nose! It's a juvenile summer tanager!
Well, look at you, looking at me!! You're makin' my day here, darling. Keep it up.
Umm.. would you consider a quick dip, getting yourself on the Spa List of species who've bathed or drunk at my special bird bath?
I'll think about it. After all, that's what brought me in, that googurling water.
That goldfinch certainly seems to be enjoying himself. Doesn't seem afraid of the bubbler, either.
And neither is the titmouse...
Don't mind if I do.
Dingdingdingdingding!! #71 for the Spa List!! Summer tanager, August 1, 2012.
What are we, chopped liver? Anyone have a guess on the brown bird in the middle? Just a little quiz. You knew there'd be a quiz.
11 comments:
Isn't that a Mourning Dove?
Not the bird in the foregroud. The brown bird in the water is the quiz bird.
Is that a white tail feather? If so, would it be a vesper sparrow?
It's a begonia! (I'll just answer what I can.)
Juvenile Eastern Towhee. I see a long tail feather with white on the outer corner. A real tricky bird - I had to thoroughly inspect and photograph a dead one once to learn it.
That makes sense - not streaky enough for a sparrow.
Ah, a huge nose! Considering my Severus Snape fetish, is it WRONG of me to find this juvenile tanager so appealing? (Yes, Mimi, it is very, very wrong. Go to your room.)
Hello Julie where did you get your spa/birdbath at I have been trying to find one like that but with no luck so I am considering building one possibly.
Thank You
Paul Elgin
Bird quiz answer sparrow
Woot woot! Congrats on the "spa lifer"!
As for that pesky quiz bird... hmm. Maybe an immature Indigo Bunting?
Then again... scratch that "just got home from the first day of school" response. That white tail feather and patterning on the wings doesn't fit INBU.
Looks a tad small... but I'm swapping to Eastern Towhee. Can I do that? :p
Ah, Corey, I hardly knew ye. Go with your second guess. Little KatDoc beat you to it. But if you're like me you do these quizzes without reading anyone else's guesses.
Bravo!
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