Yes, I should be focusing on the next step in 27Things - learning about Delicious and Technorati. Before I do, though, I have a favor to ask of any birders that might be willing to give me their opinion. The other day while I was away from home a bigger-than-average bird landed in my smaller-than-average yard (a deck, really). My friend who was home at the time managed to take a picture - but from inside the house and with no zoom (he said the bird was about 12 inches tall). I'm still a novice birder, so I'm not sure what it is - my guess is it's an immature something - some kind of heron? I'd really like to hear what other people think it is - and sorry for the quality of the picture. If I don't hear from anyone on the blog, I might post the picture to the Yahoo group for Sacramento Birders. Thanks for your help!
The neck and beak aren't right for a heron...my guess would be a Flicker: 12", spotted underparts, brown barred back. To be sure, you could post it to the local Sacto. birders. Remember there is a magpie count this week-end: www.ca.audubon.org.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help on identifying the bird - I've never seen anything like it in my yard! I thought it might possibly be a juvenile black-crowned night heron, but I'm probably wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right---I got out my Peterson and it had a picture of an immature black-crowned night heron which looks close (except they are usually 23"-28"). It's too bad you couldn't get a look at the eyes---these herons have red eyes. I'm afraid my days of dealing with babies are over.
ReplyDeletethat's one big neck on that bird!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a green heron? They can look streaky and show several colors, including brown.
ReplyDeleteDo ask the Sacramento Birders' Yahoo group. Somebody there will know for sure.
Thanks - I did ask my friend about the color of the eyes, but he didn't notice and he's not really a birder. The smaller size, like you said, doesn't fit in with a juvenile black-crowned night heron. I want to ask the Sacramento Birders Yahoo group, but haven't figured out how to post the photo yet. I'm still technologically challenged.
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm kind of suspicious about the size - he swears it was 12 inches, but his estimates have been known to be off. Wish I had been there to see it..
ReplyDeleteCheck out pics of the Least Bittern: it has spots and is about 13".
ReplyDelete