Last weekend I had questions about three different species identifications that started out almost the same, “I have a bird at the feeder, it’s about this big (fingers held about 5 inches apart) and all gray.” The only bird I can think of thats all gray would be the Townsend’s Solitaire but even he has a distinct eye ring. Even the Gray Catbird has a darker cap and rusty butt. So there was likely something else about the bird that should stand out and all these people did notice other traits, they just didn’t volunteer them up front.
The first bird had black through his eyes, so I’m thinking maybe it’s a Northern Shrike. I asked what he was doing and if he seemed aggressive with any of the other birds. The answer was, no he was very friendly. I asked where he was eating. The answer was the sunflower feeder. So he has a 5 inch gray bird with a black mask eating sunflower seeds. I asked if he noticed anything else about what the bird was doing, he said he’d come down the tree, on his way to the feeder, up side down.
Ahhh, so now I have an idea where to look in the field guide, I show him a picture of the Red-breasted Nuthatch and we have a perfect match, seeing the picture sparked all kinds of memories, right down to the rusty red breast.
The next 5 inch gray bird wasn’t a nuthatch, no black through the eyes or red breast, it was however white on the breast. He was eating under the feeders and wasn’t noticed on the feeders at all. When spooked he’d twitter all the way to cover, I asked if he noticed any white stripes on the tail when the bird flew. The answer was yes, white stripes appeared down each side of the tail. I showed a picture of the Dark-eyed Junco and got a match.
The next 5 inch gray bird was very aggressive around the feeders, chasing everything in sight. Again my thoughts go to the Northern Shrike, but they were pretty sure there wasn’t a black mask. They did notice the bird had white stripes on the tail that were noticeable when it flew, couldn’t be a junco though, they maybe chase each other but not many other species, especially larger ones. I asked if they noticed any white on the wings. The answer was yes, and the bird would even flick it’s wings when he was upset, flashing the white patches. Again I have a good idea where to look in the guide, and this time a Northern Mockingbird was the subject. Although they aren’t chasing the other birds for dinner as the Northern Shrike would be, they are very aggressive around the feeders, often chasing birds off all the feeders in an area before settling in to feed at one. The hosts did wonder why the bird wasn’t singing like they say they do, but it was likely just the season, if the bird is still around when spring approaches, I’m sure they will get more than their fill of mockingbird song. Remember my friend who played matchmaker for the mockingbird that was singing all night at his place? He caught the songster at his house and released it where there was a known female several miles away.
I find it interesting how much people notice about birds without even knowing it. All three of these birds started out as all gray, but when prompted, other subtle field marks and behavioral traits come to the surface. The other thing I notice is how hard it is to judge the size of a bird when viewed in the field, especially through binoculars. It’s a little easier when the bird is on your own feeders and a lot easier if he’s on a suet cage. The cages are usually make of a wire with half or one inch mesh, so you could count the squares he takes up on the feeders. Without the ruler right under the bird, it’s often more useful to not the size compared to other birds.
Take the time to notice how the common birds compare to each other, often they’ll cooperate nicely by perching side by side on a wire waiting for a perch to open up at the feeder.
I’ve heard birds described as “bigger than a robin but smaller than a jay.” I’m not even sure if anything would fit in that slot (unless they are referring to the European Robin, I got caught on that one once, then I clued in to the persons accent), I usually think of them as being the same size. I just checked though and a Blue Jay is only slightly bigger than an American Robin but has a shorter wingspan. Also falling in that category would be the Common Grackle and Mourning Dove, and the ones that surprise most beginners (myself included), Sharp-shinned Hawk and Merlin are really similar in size to these four birds, although they out weigh them. If you see one of these raptors cruising your yard they seem so big, (the do have a longer wingspan) but when you see one on top of a dove you realize just how close they are in size. I’ve also been amazed at how easy a Merlin gathered up a Mourning Dove and flew off into the woods when I surprised him.
I would describe the size of the three birds in question: Red-breasted Nuthatch as slightly smaller than a chickadee (and that’s because of the shorter tail). Dark-eyed Junco as slightly larger than a chickadee. And the Mockingbird as almost jay-sized but slighter. Again, even these broad comparisons are hard to make if you only get a quick glance, if you see them beside a well known species or on a feeder you are used to seeing common birds visit, these comparisons are easier. Pay close attention to the common birds and you’ll have a better reference point, and you’ll even notice more uncommon birds when they happen along.
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