Bird ID Is Tough

Even for those of us who bird regularly, bird identification can be tough. For those with little prior experience, it can be even more difficult. If they don't have experience, binoculars and/or field guides, all people have to rely on is their memory of birds they have seen on TV or in a magazine.

Many times people call, excited that they have found a really unusual bird. Other times they call because they see a bird that "looks like" a very unusual bird, but know that it cannot be what they think it is. Usually, they have found a fairly common bird--just one they haven't seen before and therefore, not one that pops into their minds.

Two examples to illustrate:
- There was a call there were birds that look like penguins building a nest in a tree. The person knew it was very unlikely this is what she had, but the markings looked like a penguin to her. It turned out to be a pair of yellow-crowned night herons. If you know your birds, then the confusion is hard to understand. But if you look at the aspects of the birds (both seem kind of hunched up and stumpy) and you haven't seen night herons, the coloring could lead you to think penguins, especially if the lighting wasn't the best.
- Received a call that there were a couple of bald eagles in a tree in my neighborhood. Well, in June, that is very unlikely, but if I missed a pair of bald eagles because I didn't go look, I would have been upset. I did not see any birds on the tree mentioned, but I did see two Mississippi Kites flying overhead. This is possibly the cause of the confusion. Although to an experienced birder, there is no resemblance between a bald eagle and a Mississippi kite, the fact is they are both raptor type birds and both have a pale head with a darker body. If you have seen both birds, you would recognize immediately the tremendous difference in body size, if nothing else. If you haven't then you might reach for "what hawk-like bird do I know of that has a pale head?" and come up with a bald eagle.

Sometimes, we are not understanding enough when people mis-ID birds. Heck, I have been a birder for most of my life and still make mistakes, even with binoculars, field guides, and a host of other tools. I am just glad that people noticed the birds and were interested enough to try to find out what bird they are seeing. Fortunately, most birders have "been there" and remember what it was like just starting out. The birding list servs are full of requests for ID help, sometimes spurring a lively debate.

So get out there and look for birds and don't worry about making mistakes. Start with a few common birds and work your way to some of the less common. You'll have fun regardless.

Good birding!

Don't Forget the Wild Bird Rescue Celebrity Roast

The Wild Bird Rescue Celebrity Roast is Friday, March 26, 6:30 PM at the Multipupose Event Center.

This year's guest of honor is State Representative David Farabee. In addition to a nice meal and the roast, there will be both silent and live auctions. I have seen some of the items for the silent auction--good stuff!

Wild Bird Rescue depends upon donations--the baby birds will be coming soon and food bills are staggering.

If you don't already have your tickets to this event, call 940-691-0828. Tickets are $25 each or you can save by inviting your friends and buying a table of 8 for $175.

I'll make it even easier. If you call Wild Bird Rescue and purchase tickets, I will bring them to you if you live in Wichita County. Just tell Bob I am picking them up and give him your address (if you're hard to find, I suggest you also give him clear, idiot-proof directions and a phone number in case I get lost.) How much easier can it be?

In addition to the roast, Lila Arnold with Wild Bird Rescue is trying to raise $1500 to build an educational bird aviary. Our first education bird, Missi, is a one-eyed Mississippi kite and will have to be moved outside soon so we can use the inside aviaries for our babies. Missi has been in training all winter and is ready to start visiting schools to provide education programs. But she needs a nice, roomy home. If you can help, contact Wild Bird Rescue.

Good birding!

Northern Waterthrush

When I came in to Wild Bird Rescue this morning, Bob told me he had heard a bird singing in the mulberry tree and couldn't ID the bird.

This afternoon, I went out to feed the Mississippi Kites in the outdoor aviary and saw a little warbler in the mulberry, so I stopped to watch in hopes that I could see it well enough for long enough to figure out what it was. Lo and behold, it was a northern waterthrush, bobbing his tail.

Although this is in their migratory pathway, they are not often seen, so I consider myself very lucky. Whether this is Bob's songster, I can't say, but they do have a pretty song, so it's possible.

Good birding!