Help - Bird ID? I don't have time to surf but curiosity is killing me

bertha katzenengel

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Mon Apr-23-07 09:58 AM
Original message

Help - Bird ID? I don't have time to surf but curiosity is killing me

I've already wasted ten minutes trying to find this bird.

I only saw its front. Its belly is buff or white or maybe pale yellow. Its throat (head?) is RED. I think from the back it's dark. Its tail is dark, and it's in two parts and very skinny and folds together in back. Or maybe that's its wings folding together in back. It made me think of a swallowtail but the tail's not that long.

Argh. That's about the best I can do.

Oh -- it was smallish -- about the size of a house finch, maybe a bit larger -- and it was perched on a wire.

Thank you, anyone who can help, thank you

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mikeytherat

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Mon Apr-23-07 10:08 AM
Response to Original message

1. Male grosbeak? (pic)

mikey_the_rat

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bertha katzenengel

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Mon Apr-23-07 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. thanks, Mikey, but that's not it

I can't figure out how to refine my description.

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guitar man

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Mon Apr-23-07 11:38 AM
Response to Original message

3. Female Cardinal?

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bertha katzenengel

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:47 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. no, but thanks

we have tons of them here; they are gorgeous!

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Mon Apr-23-07 11:50 AM
Response to Original message

4. could be an immature male vermilion fly catcher

From Peterson field guides: "underparts whitish, narrowly streaked..." thats immatures and females. Males have all red heads. The problem with field guides is young birds frequently don't look exactly like adults and not quite like the juvenile pictures either.
Flycatchers also have tails like you describe too. This is my guess. Look up the adult later. I really think this is your bird

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bertha katzenengel

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:48 PM
Response to Reply #4

8. no... i googled for images; that's not it

but i will still check all my bird books when i get home. google is your friend but it's not infallible!

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Whoa_Nelly

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:18 PM
Response to Original message

5. Red-breasted nuthatch?

Red Crossbill?

Rose-breasted Grosbeak?

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bertha katzenengel

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:49 PM
Response to Reply #5

9. ooh... all pretty! but no

thanks :hi:

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Gormy Cuss

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:30 PM
Response to Original message

6. So, you are sure that it wasn't a swallow?

The description is dead on for a barn swallow, right down to perching on a wire.

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bertha katzenengel

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:49 PM
Response to Reply #6

10. THAT'S IT THAT'S IT THAT'S IT!

Gormy Cuss saves the day!

A barn swallow! How about that!

Thank you! :smooch:

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Gormy Cuss

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:54 PM
Response to Reply #10

12. You're welcome.

Barn swallows are very pretty, IMO.

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LeftyMom

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Mon Apr-23-07 12:50 PM
Response to Original message

11. You should PM XemaSab, she'd know.

She's the resident bird person.

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