Ciblek Mania

As promised, here are a few more details on the Mystery Bird Quiz #8 bird. This image was taken in early August in Pawnee Grasslands in Colorado.

So I believe we can rule out male northern cardinal as a potential answer. It's also probably not an eastern wood warbler. Or an anhinga.

Here is shot of the habitat where I took the image. What a day that was. Out in the great wide open, nothing but land, sky, clouds, birds, a few pronghorn antelope, some distant cattle, and a windmill here and there. What a lark!

Staring at this scene, I found myself singing that Jackson Browne song:



Maybe it's being an Iowa-born native that allows me to feel so relaxed and happy in the big-sky places...

Good luck with your guessing, birdheads!

It's been a while since we've had a Mystery Bird ID Quiz, so when I stumbled across this photo while reviewing my Worst Bird Images of 2010, I knew I had a potential stumper.

Here's a closer-cropped view of the image:


I'll supply more details and another clue in Friday's post. Please submit your best guess on this bird and the person submitting the first correct answer (via the Comments window below) will win a signed and numbered fine-art print (unmatted) of their choice from the BWD online store.

A winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 18, 2011. Good luck!

OK Bird IDheads, here's another mystery bird for you. This photo was taken in early June in Great Falls, Montana. Not that there's anything wrong with that....

Some help: No the bird is not eyeless and headless. It's preening.

Sorry no prize this time (it's an easy one after all). Just the glory of knowing that you know what this mystery bird is and that we know that you know. You know?

Party on. More meat on the sandwich tomorrow, I promise.

At Magee Marsh two weekends ago, in addition to the myriad warblers present, there were several vireo species there, too. I photographed this vireo from the boardwalk assuming it was the warbling vireo that had been singing from the same vicinity.

We'd also seen a Philadelphia vireo or two during the morning.

When I got home and started going through my photos to select any that were 'keepable' and to ditch those that weren't I came across this bird again. I thought to make it a Mystery Bird ID Quiz, and sent the image to two birders whose ID skills I respect. One said Philly, one said warbling. It's a bit tough with the mostly head-on views.

I still feel it's a warbling vireo, but maybe one that recently ate a Philly Cheesesteak at Pat's, thus making its lores dirtier than normal and it's overall look pale and washed out (no doubt from the Cheez Whiz). To me the bill does not look stubby enough for a Philly.

What do YOU say?

Maybe one or more of the bird ID aces that occasionally lurk here at BOTB will be kind enough to chime in. [You know who you are.] If you DO answer, please give your reasons.

Game on!

Yes, you are all very sharp and perceptive! It IS indeed a yellow-rumped warbler in fall plumage, taken last fall in southeastern Ohio. The bird was snagging insects on a warm morning from the railing of our deck.

I guess it was a bit of a curveball to show a fall warbler instead of a spring/breeding-plumage bird.