Category Archives: Identification

Downy Woodpecker

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I believe this is a Downy Woodpecker. Here’s why. While the Downy and the Hairy are very similar, the Downy displays some of the white spots on its tail, while the Downy does not. Also, it’s bill is more conical and shorter than the Hairy’s.

I am by no means an expert birder, so my conclusions may not always be correct. I’ve studied the Audubon Guide, iBird Pro, and Peterson’s Guide to help me better determine which of the two similar woodpeckers this one is in these photos. They are almost identical and one of the guides states that the bill is the only reliable way to distinguish between the two.

Here are two more photos of this species.

My Favorite App

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$14.99 for an app. My daughter thought I was nuts! But this powerful app has quickly become my favorite app so far!

Earlier this week I posted a blog entry revealing the difficulty I had in identifying a bird I photographed in my backyard. Now, I can sit in my blind, or later in my recliner, and punch a few search parameters into my iPhone and quickly id a bird. It is that easy!

iBird Pro has 924 different species in its database. The app is easy to use and very powerful. You can also add your own photos of each species to the database if you desire.

iBird Explorer Pro contains many features that will help me identify, study, track, and share my favorite birds. I love it!

Check it out at: http://ibird.com/

 

 

Bird Identification 001

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I am on the ground floor when it comes to bird identification. For me it’s not even 101; it’s bird id 001!

This photograph is not a great one, but it captured a bird I had never photographed before. I think it might be a type of kingfisher, but I am not sure. So I need your help. Can you identify this bird?

The photo was taken in Chincoteague, Virginia on the second week of January. I saw a lot of mallards, great blue herons, great egrets, a whole more. One day I just happened across this bird sitting on a perch. So I quickly stopped my truck, grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos. This was the best one of the batch. It is not a great photo but I hope it is good enough for one of you to help me identify it.

Thanks in advance for your help!